Which country has had the best sporting history

[cover drive man]

In all sports which country has had the best sporting history.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Straya, fairly obvious.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Brazil, Germany, USSR....?

It depends on how one defines "best" really. If one takes "best" to mean "most successful in international competiton" I'd say Australia must be there or thereabouts.

Generally had the best test cricket team since the concept was divised, have been the best Rugby League team since the 50s, only country to have won two union world cups (until later tonight), good field hockey team, decent basketball side, improving association football team & still have time for their own football code that never made it outside their borders, that Victorian oxymoron, Aussie Rules.

Yanks have a case in individual sports, but prefer their team sports to be civil wars. Obviously basketball and ice hockey are played worldwide, but generally the international game plays second fiddle to the domestic major leagues.

If, however, one takes "best" to mean "most significant", it's obviously the People's Republic of Brit. We codified association football, both Rugby codes & cricket and then cunningly acquired an empire to spread the good word in.

 

[chaminda_00]

USA, then daylight TBH.

 

[Tom Halsey]

If, however, one takes "best" to mean "most significant", it's obviously the People's Republic of Brit. We codified association football, both Rugby codes & cricket and then cunningly acquired an empire to spread the good word in.

The Yanks also nicked baseball and claimed it as their own.

And yeah, Australia IMO.

 

[cpr]

And Basketball was created by a Canadian.

Leaving them with just American Football to call their own

 

[BoyBrumby]

Leaving them with just American Football to call their own

Created because they were too gay for Rugby Union: fact.

 

[33/3from3.3]

Created because they were too gay for Rugby Union: fact.

And then some genius created league because he wasn't gay enough for union: Fact.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

And then some genius created league because he wasn't gay enough for union: Fact.

Jeez, League is a game built for ballerinas. Case in point: tackling is illegal.

 

[chaminda_00]

Created because they were too gay for Rugby Union: fact.

And then some genius created league because he wasn't gay enough for union: Fact.

Jeez, League is a game built for ballerinas. Case in point: tackling is illegal.

TBH they are all gay, should play lacross(sp). Now thats a man's game.

 

[GIMH]

England, the best sports originated here. Simple really. Question is a bit too open for mine, though.

 

[Josh]

Lacrosse.

 

[Craig]

Brazil, Germany, USSR....?

It depends on how one defines "best" really. If one takes "best" to mean "most successful in international competiton" I'd say Australia must be there or thereabouts.

Generally had the best test cricket team since the concept was divised, have been the best Rugby League team since the 50s, only country to have won two union world cups (until later tonight), good field hockey team, decent basketball side, improving association football team & still have time for their own football code that never made it outside their borders, that Victorian oxymoron, Aussie Rules.

Yanks have a case in individual sports, but prefer their team sports to be civil wars. Obviously basketball and ice hockey are played worldwide, but generally the international game plays second fiddle to the domestic major leagues.

If, however, one takes "best" to mean "most significant", it's obviously the People's Republic of Brit. We codified association football, both Rugby codes & cricket and then cunningly acquired an empire to spread the good word in.

Probably not the smartest idea to have aquired Australia then?

 

[archie mac]

Because they started so many sports I went for the Poms

I thought Greece should have been one of the choices

 

[Son Of Coco]

Jeez, League is a game built for ballerinas. Case in point: tackling is illegal.

Wow, you obviously meant 'Rugby' there, a game where if a tackle is actually made the commentators all have epileptic fits trying to describe it.

 

[biased indian]

Russia for me......then england...becuse they gave us so many team games

 

[The_Bunny]

England has had the most influence in sport by a mile.
Russia not to far off, though not enough sucess in the major International team sports rules the out for mine.

If Australia can crack into into Football (may take a while but we will manage it ) then they would have a pretty convincing argument.

Also should we include motorsports in this?

 

[David]

In terms of team games success, Australia, certainly in my experience.

As far as influence/creating sport definitely England for mine.

As far as individual sports go, well, I like the Tennis, but follow most others only once every 2 years.

 

[Goughy]

As already mentioned there are a number of big names left off. Including little Finland which I believe has the most Olympic medals per capita.

Anyway, America due to its size and institutions can have a conveyer belt producing athletic talent and dominates track and field.

Australia takes a small population and still manages to be competetive (if not dominant) in virtually every sport. Even if it isnt their National sport.

UK, historically produced great sports people accross a wide range of sports and has been the origin of many of the worlds global sports.

Easy answer though, Australia. It should be impossible for a country this small to dominate sports the way they do.

EDIT- Having watched Beyond Tomorrow last night, I nearly knocked a point off for Aus due to the lack of progression by the once "Worlds Fastest Teenager"

A note on Aus sport and its history. Is there another major Nation that has a sportsperson as its most famous and prominent citizen?

 

[GIMH]

Maybe Pele/Brazil? (probably somebody reallt obvious that I've forgotten)