What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sports?
Written By Ariana Bardales
A few weeks ago I asked Changeist youth “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sports?” and I received over 60 responses. There are a few categories to how people answered: sports, names, emotions, and actions. The first sports that came to mind were: Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, and Football. Athletes such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and LeBron James. People also described sports as painful, tiring, difficult, fun, competitive, and amazing. Other words: exercising, sweat, discipline, strength, fitness, community, teamwork. I never liked sports growing up. That is what I told myself and everyone around me because I’ve always been more into the arts and creativity. When I saw the film I, Tonya (2017) directed by Craig Gillespie, I realized sports could be creative, artistic, and have more than just stereotypical implications. This is not to say people don’t see sports as artistic or creative, I want you to oppose the views society has constructed for us when it comes to sports.
I had forgotten about figure skating until the 2022 Winter Olympics. When I saw Russian figure skaters Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova competing for gold, I did more research on artistic sports. The drama was real, but it was toxic and something that should never be normalized in any sport. I am not here to spill the tea, but it is a rather interesting series of events that occurred in the 2022 Olympics, and for years, figure skating had the reputation of this highly painful, stressful, and toxic sport. Now, in the 2026 Winter Olympics, the narrative of figure skating shifted with the spotlight on the American Gold Medalist Alysa Liu. She has freed figure skating from these stereotypes and made it seem calming, and fun! Something other figure skaters had failed to do in the Olympics. Sports such as ballet, Synchronized swimming, etc. have been seen as less of a sport. Their strength, discipline and sweat are overlooked because of the artistry and some people debate if they should be considered sports or not.
Now, I appreciate artistic sports a lot more but what I want you to take away from this is that there is no difference between artistic or “regular” sports when it comes to effort. The only difference (I think) is performance and the way sports are portrayed. My goal is not to critique what we think but to challenge the ways in which society has shaped our views about sports. Because there is no sport that is better or worse, some are unfortunately more unappreciated than others. If this intrigues you, start thinking ‘which sports are overlooked, and why?’
About the Author About the Author
My name is Ariana Bardales, a Changeist media team leader. I’m a second-year student at UCI; I am double-majoring in education sciences and Film & Media Studies. My main interest is filmmaking because I am able to express myself through it. Film is a medium that brings me hope, because I can use it to express myself and voice the stories of people who are not given one.
