What is a sport? Is it a physical and mental activity, practiced to improve ones health and to enjoy oneself? Or is it a show by specialised professionals in this entertainment field? This illustrated original volume answers these and other questions. Looking through spectacular pictures at all aspects of modern sports activity, it outlines the portraits of the greatest champions in the various disciplines, covers the most practiced and the extreme sports and illustrates the world that turns around the competitive world of sport. It also describes the main sporting events, above all the Olympic Games, where the original spirit of competition and competitive spirit expresses itself at the highest level.