Know Your Enemy

"The world of sport is generally easily parodied, and can be rendered as absurd. Take cricket: an outdoor sport that cannot be played during rain, being a national sport in a country known for its unpredictable climate. Or darts - a 'sport' played largely by fat men with beer bellies. Or golf - a game in which the best player in the world, Tiger Woods, would probably not be easily admitted into membership of many clubs if he were not famous. Or Formula One motor racing - a series of events in which cars 'race', yet rarely pass each other; or rugby - a combination of high speed running, repressed sexuality and assault and battery. Or synchronised swimming - I rest my case."

Garry Whannel might find sport inherently ridiculous, and yet his latest book 'Culture, Politics And Sport' indicates that he's still fascinated by it.