Well, summer's here and we're all thinking about getting out in the sun and doing some SPORTS (aren't we?). There are certainly a lot of them to choose from - indoor and outdoor, land and water, team and solo... But don't think those gold medals come easy. This month at THORNY ISSUES it's the survival of the fittest, so good luck and may the best man or woman win!

 

 

The evolution of women’s tennis fashion

Tennis was a weekend game at the end of the 19th century. A game for gossiping and closing business deals while enjoying a sport and maintaining one’s composure; it was invented by the British elite; who considered that it would be better to hit the ball with a tool that stylizes the shot rather than with the body, so they devised a smaller ball. All this adorned with corsets, enormous shoulder pads, hats, big ribbons, Balmoral ankle boots and, in short, elite clothing which hindered movements and flexibility tremendously.

First of all, let me give you some details about general tennis history facts and specific moments in Wimbledon history.

12th Century

Origins can be traced back to a French game called "Paume" ("Palm"), where players hit a small ball over a net with their hands.

16th Century

The racket was actually invented in Italy in 1583. Paume evolved into "Jeu de Paume" ("Game of Palm") and a racket was used instead of the hand.

1873
Major Walter Wingfield invented a game called "Sphairistikè" (Greek for "playing ball") and first introduced it in Wales (UK).

1884
The Wimbledon Championship was opened to women for the first time.

There were only 13 participants. Men’s doubles were also introduced for the first time.

1887
The US Championship was opened to women for the first time.

1887 Wimbledon: Lottie Dod of England wins the Wimbledon Ladies Singles title for the first of 5 times between 1887 and 1893.

She is the youngest player to win a singles event at the age of only 15 years and 285 days and looked like this.

Wimbledon—the oldest tennis tournament in the world—currently held in England, reminds us that there was once a time when women practiced their backhand not in neon spandex, but wearing lace-up corsets, court-length skirts, ladylike slippers and even, occasionally, a well-placed fur.

Here are some examples, decade by decade, of the most stylishly standout moments in tennis outfits.

  


Women had worn long skirts and restrictive clothing to play tennis until 1910.  The fashion plate left is dated 1895 and depicts a typical 'sporty' tennis dress.  Note the hats, tight-sleeved jackets and heavy skirts.   


 

1900s   The ladies who played tennis at the turn of the century were cinched in corsets and belts, and covered up in floor-grazing skirts, hats and long sleeves.

 1920s The “Roaring Twenties” said goodbye to the clothing constraints of earlier decades and introduced loose, cocktail-inspired attire, as seen here on players who traded long skirts and wide brims for dropwaist, below-the-knee dresses and stylishly sporty bandeaux or visors.



In 1922, Suzanne Lenglen shocked the world when she dressed for tennis at Wimbledon wearing a short skirt.

 

Tennis players Helen Wills-Moody and Helen Jacobs walking onto the court at Wimbledon in 1929.

1940s  Legendary for her classic men´s wear style, Katharine Hepburn rejected the traditional tennis skirt and opted instead for flattering high-waisted shorts.

  

1970s   Outfits got tighter and skirts got shorter, and this era’s disco fever spread to sportswear, showing up in patterened fabrics and exaggerated collars.  

Nowadays, far from that, each woman tennis player expects to be different from her colleagues; they hope to be exclusive, trendy and fashionable.

              

Look at Venus Williams at the 2010 French Open and Maria Sharapova.

They are some of the tennis players who have become almost as famous for what they wear on the court as for their stellar performances. While Kournikova favours short, tight, and midriff outfits, Sharapova designs all of her own uniforms, adding menswear elements and Swarovski crystals.

What will the future be for the next centuries? Maybe our stylish collection of women's tennis clothing will include original and unique tennis skirts, tennis dresses, tennis tops, tennis outfits  or…  maybe sports fashion will be inspired by science fiction films. Imagine a female tennis player dressed in a Princess Leia Costume!

Who knows...  ?                                                                                            

                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                Flamencodancer

Pilates: the best sport?

I've never been an athlete. When I was a child I started doing gymnastics in secondary school but the closest I got to sport was playing "prisoner ball".

Sport has never been one of my priorities but I've gone to the gym regularly and have done some great walks.

That is, until one day three years ago when I became familiar with the Pilates Method. Since then I’ve been practicing regularly.

And… why?

Because with the Pilates method I can work the muscles and the body’s elasticity in depth without causing damage in my body. In fact, it's advisable to do Pilates in the rehabilitation of people who have had bone or muscle injuries.

The method combines the best of Eastern and Western traditions to join the body and mind and consider them as a whole, cooperating in complete harmony. The Eastern approach to exercise as is a way of calming, remaining focused, with a feeling of fullness and an emphasis on stretching and flexibility. The Western approach emphasizes movement, muscle tone and strength.

The basics of this method are control, concentration, fluidity, precision, breathing and "the centre" (formed by the abdominal muscles, back and buttocks) and the intention is that, through strengthening this, the entire body is doing exercise.

Most exercises are performed with the help of equipment designed specifically for this discipline, and in a series of controlled movements, gentle and slow, trying to be as accurate as possible through breath control, proper alignment of the body and, of course, concentration. This will prevent uncontrolled, violent or aggressive movements.

The method is based on work from the inside out, on stretching the muscles and the strength the abdominal area, respecting the biomechanics of movement and giving priority to quality over quantity.  Above all, performs work it is a practice which develops flexibility and muscle strength as well as good posture.

In most sports, you work the main muscles involved in the movements of each action, and as they get stronger and increase in volume, the other smaller muscles are become weaker, creating muscle imbalances, postural or functional.

Locating these minor or secondary muscles and learning to use them requires specific monitoring, and from the athlete a great deal of concentration, control and precision, and so Pilates is described as a 'conscious exercise'.

 As Joseph Pilates (creator of the method) said:

"After ten sessions you will notice the difference,

after twenty, others will notice,

and after thirty you'll have a whole new body. "

Nines

The Cinemaniac Corner: Citius, Altius, Fortius

CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS

The first approach to sports through the wonderful world of movies is discouraging. What on Earth do sports have to do with cinema?

But, appealing to our memories, it soon becomes clear that there are quite a few films with a relation with physical effort; and, even more, three or four of them to my mind are unforgettable. Others are very often related to some classic Hollywood topics such as boxing –for instance `Rocky´ (1976) -, or baseball -`Remember the Titans´ (2000), among dozens of others -.

We also can find good films touching on other sports, such as soccer: `Bend it like Beckham´ (2002) or the world of the Olympic Games: `Munich´ (2005), `Asterix at the Olympic Games´ (2008), and so on.

Together with the Olympic symbols, such as the flag with the five colourful rings, the Olympic Hymn, the Olympic torch and flame, or the Oath; there is an ancient Latin Olympic inscription that reminds us of the importance of self-improvement, effort, courage and the endless pursuit of new aims: `Citius, Altius, Fortius´, which could be translated as `Faster, Higher, Stronger´.

CITIUS

faster

Chariots of Fire (1981)

Nowadays, we live in a country that has a kind of national obsession about running. A lot of people run regularly, participate in races for all kinds of reasons: to fight against cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis or raising awareness about road accidents. Many regularly read magazines such as `Runners´, and running shoes are sold more than ever in sport shops and department stores.

But perhaps very few of our vigorous compatriots know that the origin of the title of this classic movie about running -famous for its music by the Greek composer Vangelis- was a work by the English poet William Blake: Jerusalem.

And did those feet in ancient time
walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.

I will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

I won´t say too much about the film itself, because I think it is generally well known. Only to mention on the one hand that it seems to me a very appropriate movie to watch for those who love British history and culture, and also for those who want to learn about the early twentieth-century Olympic Games –in this case, the 1924 Olympics held in Paris-. On the other, to add that it presents a remarkable perspective about valiant achievements and the overcoming of anti-Semitism.

ALTIUS

      higher

Soul Surfer (2011)

Much more recently made and much less watched or known, we find this American drama that tells us part of the biography of a young surfer, Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in a shark attack off the coast of Hawaii.

The girl had learnt to surf before she could even walk, and playing with the wind and the waves was her daily pleasure. Actually, surfing was also her parents and two brothers’ passion, and more than just a hobby.

The `accident´ happens on a Halloween’s Eve, some days after she has refused to cooperating in a church service because of a surfing competition. At the time, she was very young –thirteen years old- although in the movie she looks a bit older.

The story goes on to relate several events, such as a championship in which our main character refuses to use the small time advantage that the judges offer her in consideration for her disability. In this national competition, she is able to feel an enormous wave coming up and therefore get longest surfing profit of it, but… out of the set time!

Besides this and other episodes of her life, her great compassionate heart leads her to join a youth group and travel with them to Phuket, Thailand, where its coasts, devastated by the 2004 Tsunami has made children very afraid of the ocean. She helps them to enjoy the sea again and get a taste for the pleasure of surfing.

This is a moving teenage film of courage, sport in nature, family and generosity.  

FORTIUS

stronger

Invictus (2009)

Now that we are all concerned with Nelson Mandela’s health because of his age and illness, I like to remember this moving Clint Eastwood film that I saw some years ago.

The movie, starring Morgan Freeman, tells us an earlier story of a relevant rugby final between the New Zealand team (the All Blacks) and the national team of South Africa (the Springboks), just after Mandela’s arrival to the presidency.

The Springboks were considered to be a symbol of Apartheid, so they were hated by more than a half of the population.

The film relates to us the process of how both factions of the country’s people, long in conflict; reach the point of unity. At least with regard to their national Rugby Team and the very important final referred to above. In this task, Mandela is helped by the Springbok’s captain, Francois Pienaar.

One especially effective moment is when the whole team visits the jail where Mandela was imprisoned for twenty seven years. Another is when Mandela offers Pienaar the poem that buoyed him up in resistance and faith, the poem `Invictus´:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
for my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
my head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
and yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
how charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Latin title `Invictus´ means `undefeated´ and this recalls to us the peaceful resistance that enabled Mandela to forgive even the people that kept him incarcerated.

Moreover, reconciliation is made between Mandela’s security guards and their previous President’s comrades, both sides recognizing their high level of professionalism.

It is, no doubt, an interesting sport movie, but also a great one about an exceptional policy on the thorny topic of Apartheid, Henley’s celebrated poem and human rights.

The Thanksgiving Turkey

They're completely crazy!

I’ve seen them many times and I bet you have too. Although they pass silently and quickly, I’m sure you have laid your eyes on them for a second. You have probably noticed their presence all around the city. No matter if it rains or snows, if it is cold or hot, if it is dark or if the sun is shining. You can see them anywhere at anytime. Not only can you see them alone, but you can see them in couples and in groups. They are of both sexes, and they are between five and ninety-five years old, of any race and social class. They go through the streets, the parks, the mountains and the beaches. Sometimes they go slow, and sometimes as fast as they can, usually saying hello to others they meet on their way, though they don’t know each other’s names, because they recognise them as colleagues. Sometimes they take over the streets for hours and people cheer them on and applaud. They don’t try to beat anybody else but themselves. They compete with their own times, looking at their watches to check their pace. 

The day before a race they prepare their clothes and shoes, feeling as joyful as children the day before Christmas. The night before, they dream about the race, and visualize themselves running through a route in the sky among the clouds. 

 They don’t mind waking up early, or being the last at the finish line. They encourage the other runners, even if they are so tired that they can’t speak, with a smile or a clap. And when they arrive at the end of the race they raise their arms proudly and think “I did it”. Then they check their watches for the last time. They go back home happily thinking that, although they have done a great job, they could have done it better and make up silly excuses. The day after, they can’t help smiling when they feel the stiffness, the product of a great effort. They check the official results, and look for the pictures of the race on the Internet. They spend the whole day remembering the starting line, the hill, the guy that overtook them, the finish line…almost like an obsession.

 

                                                                                                             Wildcat

The strangest sports in the world

When somebody asks us what we know about sports or which of them we like, we usually think of classic sports like football, tennis, basket, swimming, baseball, cycling, athletics, rugby, skiing and hockey. These sports are widely played around the world and we know most of their tactical rules, their most famous teams and players, even their coaches and their national and international championships. In our daily life we often play some of these sports to keep fit, to enjoy being with our family and friends and even to compete as professional players.  

Although all the classic sports are very important in our day-to-day life, I think it is more interesting to find out something about those sports that never will be played in the modern Olympic Games: the strangest sports in the world, those sports that are unknown, unusual and weird but are played in several parts of the world. We might think that people who play these sports are freaky and bizarre, but there are lots of people that play them. So, some of the strangest sports that we can play around the world are:

-    Arm wrestling: a biceps competition between two people; each participant places one arm with the elbow touching a surface and they grip each other´s hands. The winner is the one who is able to force his opponent´s arm onto the surface. There is a World Armwrestling Federation constituted by 85 member countries.  

-    Bed Racing: a 3-km bed race invented in the North Yorkshire Town of Knaresborough (United Kingdom). Each team is comprised of seven members with one of them lying on the bed. All the beds have to run on four wheels and they also have to be able to float because in one part of the race competitors have to cross a river. 

-    Beer Can Regatta: all the participants create their boats using empty beer and soft drink cans and empty milk cartons. The funniest moment is when the boats sink into the water. This regatta is held in Mindil Beach (Darwin) in Australia. 

-    Beer Pong (also known as Beirut): this game combines beer cups and ping-pong. Players throw a ping-pong ball across the table and try to land the ball in a cup of beer (these cups are arranged in triangle formation) on the other side of the table. The World Series of Beer Pong is the largest championship in the world of this discipline and players from United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Japan participate.

-    Bicycle Polo: a similar sport to traditional polo but players use bicycles instead of horses.

-    Bog Snorkelling: similar to classic snorkeling, but in this variety competitors have to complete two consecutive lengths in a trench filled with muddy water in the shortest time possible. There is a World Bog Snorkelling Championship that has been held since 1985 and takes place every summer in Llanwrtyd Wells (United Kingdom). 

-    Bossaball: a spectacular new and unusual beach sport introduced in Spain in 2005. It is a hybrid of volleyball, football, gymnastics and capoeira and is played on air mattresses and trampolines.

-    Camel Racing: like horse racing but camels are ridden without riders. This is a very popular sport in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia and Mongolia.

-    Cheese-Rolling: a sport in which all competitors have to roll their Double Gloucester Cheese downhill from the top to the bottom of Cooper’s Hill (England). 

-    Chess Boxing: a hybrid sport that combines chess and boxing in eleven alternate rounds: six rounds of chess and five of boxing. It has been held since 2003 and has followers in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Nantes, Reykjavik, Amsterdam, Calcutta and, especially, in Berlin and London.  

-    Cup Stacking (also known as sport stacking): an individual sport that involves stacking plastic cups in different sequences (pyramids of three, six or ten cups) in the shortest time possible. The first competitions were held in 1998 and there is a World Sport Stacking Association.  

-    Dodgeball: a game usually played on a basketball court in which players on two teams try to hit the opponents with balls while they try to avoid being hit. 

-    Extreme Ironing: a hybrid between an extreme outdoor sport and a performance. This activity started in June 1997 in Leicester (England) and consists of people doing their ironing in remote and dangerous places. Locations where this sport takes place include sheer mountainsides, in forests, at the top of large statues, while skiing, snowboarding or practicing parachuting, underwater, in the middle of the street, riding a bicycle and sailing.  

-    Joggling: this sport combines juggling and jogging. There is an International Jogglers’ Association and the first championship was held in 1980 in North Dakota (USA).  

-    Land Diving: this is a hybrid between a sport and a traditional religious ritual that is practiced only by men on Pentecost Island (Vanuatu): while women are dancing and singing chants, men jump from high wooden towers with their ankles tied with supple liana vines. It’s the precursor of bungee jumping. 

-    Parkour: a discipline of French origin which involves skillful gymnastic movements over, under and through city buildings and street furniture. 

-    Rope climbing: an escape sport whose aim is to climb a suspended vertical rope using only the hands and arms in the shortest time possible. It is usually played at the World Police and Fire Games. 

-    Royal Shrovetide Football: a local derby that has been played every year since 1667 in the streets of Ashbourne in Derbyshire (England). There are two teams and the game begins when a ball is thrown into the centre of the town. Players then have to get the ball to the goals, which are positioned three miles away. 

-    Shin Kicking: a battle in which two competitors have to kick each other as hard as they can in the shins and force one’s opponent to the ground. It has been played in England since 17th century. 

-    Stair Climbing: a grueling sport in which competitors have to run up the stairs to the top of the highest buildings and towers of the world. 

-    Straw race: a charity race between teams of two persons carrying bales of straw. Competitors drink a pint of beer at each pub they stop at on the route. This race is held in Oxenhope, New Yorkshire (England). 

-    Street Luge: a very high-speed downhill race in which competitors ride a streetluge board (a modified skateboard) with their feet in front and with only gravity to power them. This sport was created in Southern California in the seventies. 

-    Three-Sided Football: a European variation of traditional football with three teams instead of the usual two. This game is played on a hexagonal field and the winning team is the one which cedes the least number of goals, not the one which scores more of them.    

-    Toe Wrestling: similar to arm wrestling. This is a sport played since the seventies, mainly in United Kingdom. Competitors, with their shoes off, have to pin and interlock the big toe of their opponents and try to force it off the “toedium” (the place where this game is played, resembling a little boxing ring).  

-    Tough Mudder: the latest trend in extreme sports, where participants race up to 20 km over military-style obstacles involving mud, heights, fire, icy water and high voltage electricity. This sport was created in 2010 in New York and is currently played all over United States and in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Germany.

-    Underwater Hockey: players with two teams of six players each. One has to push a puck (heavier than usual) along the bottom of a swimming pool and try scoring it into the opponent goal. Players wear snorkels and have to come up to breathe. This sport began in 1954 in the United Kingdom. 

-    Worm Charming: each player gets three square yards of ground and they have to dig up as many worms as they can. The World Worm Charming Championship started in England in the eighties. 

However, we can argue whether these activities can be considered sports because most of them don’t need any training to play. So, are they really sports or only amusements played for enjoying our spare time? I think that sport is really any physical action that makes us feel better. So in my opinion these games can be classified as strange, eccentric even dangerous activities, but still sports. What do you think?

Uinen