Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to identify important issues within this topic, recognise contrasting perspectives, suggest causes and consequences, consider possible courses of action and develop suitable questions for Global Perspectives research.
How To Use This Topic Guide
This is not a chapter to memorise. Use it to explore possible issues, practise Cambridge skills and decide whether this topic is suitable for an Individual Report or Team Project.
What This Topic Includes
Sport and recreation includes physical activity, competition, leisure, health, identity, entertainment and the social and economic systems surrounding organised sport.
Possible Global Issues
- Unequal access to sports facilities.
- Commercialisation and high athlete salaries.
- Gender inequality in participation, pay and media coverage.
- Performance-enhancing drugs.
- Hosting major sporting events.
- Safety, injury and pressure on young athletes.
- Whether elite sport receives too much funding.
- Use of sport for social inclusion.
- Corruption and fairness in sports organisations.
Stakeholders And Perspectives
- Athletes may value performance, income, health and fair competition.
- Fans may value entertainment, loyalty and national identity.
- Governments may use sport for health, unity, tourism and international image.
- Schools may promote activity but face time and resource limits.
- Sports organisations may balance fairness, revenue and audience growth.
- Sponsors and broadcasters may prioritise visibility and profit.
- Women and minority groups may seek equal access and representation.
- Local residents may benefit from facilities but carry event costs or disruption.
Possible Causes
- Unequal funding and facilities.
- Commercial incentives and media attention.
- Social expectations about gender or disability.
- Pressure to win.
- High cost of equipment and travel.
- Weak governance and oversight.
- Limited safe public spaces.
- Unequal school and community opportunities.
Possible Consequences
- Improved health, teamwork and wellbeing.
- National pride and social connection.
- Injury, pressure or exploitation.
- Corruption and reduced trust.
- Large event costs and possible displacement.
- Employment and tourism benefits.
- Exclusion of groups with less access.
- Strong commercial influence over rules and schedules.
Possible Courses Of Action
- Expand affordable community facilities.
- Support inclusive and adapted sport.
- Use transparent funding and governance.
- Strengthen anti-doping and athlete-protection systems.
- Provide equal opportunities and media coverage.
- Evaluate major events before committing public funds.
- Train coaches in safeguarding and wellbeing.
- Balance elite sport investment with mass participation.
Possible Individual Report Questions
- Do major sporting events benefit host communities?
- Should professional athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing technology?
- Does commercial sponsorship improve or damage sport?
- Should male and female athletes receive equal prize money?
- Is competitive sport beneficial for all children?
Possible Team Project Ideas
- Audit access to sports and recreation in the school or community.
- Run an inclusive activity for students who participate less often.
- Investigate barriers faced by girls or students with disabilities.
- Create a campaign on safe participation or athlete wellbeing.
- Compare public spending on elite and community sport.
Useful Types Of Evidence
- Participation and facility-access data.
- Funding and sponsorship records.
- Athlete, coach and participant interviews.
- Injury and health research.
- Media coverage analysis.
- Event budgets and impact evaluations.
Skill Practice
Evaluate one proposal to increase student participation in sport. Consider cost, accessibility, motivation, safety and how success would be measured.
Lesson Summary
- Sport can improve wellbeing and inclusion but can also create pressure and inequality.
- Commercial and public-interest perspectives often conflict.
- Participation data should be separated by gender, age, disability and income where relevant.
- Actions should be judged by who gains access and whether benefits continue.
