Meaning: The quote "Sport must be amateur or it is not sport. Sports played professionally are entertainment" by Avery Brundage, an athlete, reflects the debate that has long existed in the world of sports regarding the nature of competition and the role of professionalism. Avery Brundage, an American sports official who served as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was an advocate for amateurism in sports and believed that professional sports were primarily a form of entertainment rather than true sport.

The concept of amateurism in sports dates back to the early modern Olympic Games, where athletes were expected to compete for the love of the sport rather than for financial gain. The idea was to promote the values of sportsmanship, fair play, and pure competition, untainted by the influence of money or commercial interests. Athletes were expected to be "amateurs," meaning they did not receive payment for their participation in sports.

Brundage's assertion that "Sport must be amateur or it is not sport" reflects this traditional view of sports as a pursuit driven by passion, dedication, and a love for the game rather than financial gain. He believed that the true essence of sport lies in the amateur spirit, where athletes compete for the intrinsic rewards of personal achievement and the pursuit of excellence, rather than for monetary compensation.

On the other hand, Brundage's statement that "Sports played professionally are entertainment" highlights the distinction he saw between amateur and professional sports. In his view, professional sports, with their emphasis on lucrative contracts, endorsements, and commercialization, had strayed from the pure ideals of sport and had become more about providing entertainment for spectators and generating revenue for stakeholders.

The debate over amateurism versus professionalism in sports has been a contentious issue throughout the history of modern sports. While the concept of amateurism was once widely embraced, it has gradually given way to the rise of professionalism in sports, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries. The allure of financial rewards and the increasing commercialization of sports have led to a shift away from the traditional amateur model, with many athletes now pursuing careers as professional sportspeople.

In contemporary sports, the line between amateur and professional has become increasingly blurred, with many sports allowing athletes to receive compensation for their participation while still maintaining their amateur status in certain competitions. This evolution has raised questions about the true nature of sport and whether the distinction between amateur and professional is as clear-cut as it once was.

While Brundage's perspective on the amateur-professional divide may have reflected the prevailing attitudes of his time, the modern sports landscape presents a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between amateurism, professionalism, and the fundamental nature of sport. Today, many athletes compete at the highest levels while still embodying the values of sportsmanship and fair play, regardless of their professional status.

In conclusion, Avery Brundage's quote encapsulates the historical tension between the ideals of amateurism and the realities of professionalism in sports. While his advocacy for amateur sports as the true embodiment of sport may have resonated in an earlier era, the contemporary sports world reflects a more complex and multifaceted understanding of the role of professionalism in sports. The ongoing conversation about the nature of sport and the place of amateurism and professionalism continues to shape the landscape of athletics and the principles that guide it.