Sport and Violence

Abstract

This study deals with forms of violence and aims at showing that these are very much in evidence at the very heart of sport. A cross-section of nine sport practices (soccer, basketball, volleyball, karate, judo, shooting, table tennis, swimming, tennis) was sampled for that purpose. Some 420 competitors filled in a questionnaire. Results show that instances of violence greatly vary depending on the sporting area and produces collective representations. Three groups of practices showing differentiated forms of violence have been observed thus proving that these forms are particularly pertinent differentiation factors in the field of sport.