I follow a variety of sports and sometimes it's hard to pick a favorite. But if I genuinely thought about it deeply, the obvious answer would be Athletics (my love for running may be a dead giveaway though).
Track and Field may not be ranked among the most popular sporting activities in the World, and her athletes may not be superstars as obtained in other sports, but it retains a solid base of followers who have built a connection with the sport over the years.
Unlike many other popular sporting events which are team events and put rival teams in competition with one another, athletics is largely an individual affair much like its compatriots Tennis, Golf and Badminton but with much less fanfare.
What endears fans to the sport isn't necessarily support for a particular individual (even though that also does happen); it is however a cumulation of a number of factors. For me, the sport remains special for two major reasons:
Despite the selective nature of support, it is widely accepted that track and field Athletes are among the highest rated in the World in terms of athletic capacity. The sheer amount of discipline it involves to be a top athlete is almost unreal. Unlike other sports where negligence can be overlooked, neglecting any part of an athletes preparation from dieting all the way to Training regimens can significantly alter performance and reduce competitiveness. Talent or skill would only get you so far here, as constant improvement is demanded to stay competitive.
Athletes are some of the most tested Sportspersons and the list of things they can't consume just keeps increasing. Yet in spite of this, we've seen those who have thrived and continue to represent the sport, winning the respect of the sporting World. Allyson Felix is a great example of an ambassador who has worked hard and won the mainstream over with their hard work.
It may not quite have as much hype as an NBA final, but when a track and field star triumphs in a major event, the passion and excitement is indescribable. All the individual sacrifices one has to make to get there becomes worth it despite the difficulty. Unlike team sports where average players can be part of a winning team without contributing, for Athletics the onus of victory and defeat lies squarely on the shoulders of the Individual.
Perhaps a better appreciation of Athletics is required to From finally given this event the attention it deserves
