I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates good will between the nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield.

Even if one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.

Nearly all sports nowadays are competitive.

You play to win, and the game has little meaning unless you do your utmost to win.

On the village green, where you play and no feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simply for fun and exercise; but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as fell that you and same larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused.

Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this.

At the international level sport is frankly mimic warfare.

But the significant thing is not the behavior of the players but the attitude of the spectators; and behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests, and seriously believe, at any rate for short periods, that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

As soon as strong feelings of rivalry are aroused, the notion of playing the game according to the rules always vanishes.

People want to see the one side on top and the other side humiliated and they forget that victory gained through cheating or through intervention of the crowd is meaningless.