Modern sport originated in Europe during the Enlightenment, when gymnastics and athletics from Antiquity were rediscovered and transformed into new cultural and educational forms that shaped both body and mind. The industrialization of Britain and Europe introduced organizational patterns that provided sport with a name and structure, marking it as a distinctive product of European civilization that spread globally. The 100 objects featured here, both material items and forms of communication, explore the transformation and diversity of sports, games, and physical education in Europe, whether for training, performance, or celebration. This book represents the first attempt to create a kaleidoscopic history of European sport through its rich material culture, driven by a desire for transnational research in sports history. With contributions from 110 authors across 39 countries, it offers a genuinely pan-European perspective, introducing readers to the diverse range of people, institutions, and places that shaped modern European sport. The countries represented include Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Wales
