Spectacle sport or "sports show" proper took off in the 1960s. With the appearance and strengthening of the media (television, newspapers, radios), spectacle sport or sports show will experience an exponential development. At that time General de Gaulle himself was a regular spectator of the Tour de France and the 5 Nations Tournament.
The General is convinced that sporting victories can positively influence French policy and the morale of the French and thus contribute to restoring France's coat of arms. The advent of spectacle sport (sports show) also corresponds to the law of supply and demand which continues to grow. The demand of the moment is mainly based on emotions, pleasure and joy to remedy the era of crisis of the 1970s linked to the economic slump and the oil embargo.
In the 1980s, with the explosion of television in wealthy countries, there was an increased demand for images.
Advertising and sponsors contribute to the development of spectacle sport (sports show).
ATHLETES AND RIDERS PERFORMANCE
The performance of an athlete or rider to speak in more modern terms depends on factors classified into two groups:
• The physical and psychological capacities of the sportsman.
• Variables linked to the environment.
The presence of the media and spectators is a major motivator in the psychological world of athletes (riders) and the showman. This gives him some social recognition. The influence of others will change the end result of his performance. Hence the surpassing of oneself. This influence gives him the power to push his physical limits.
However it is essential that the rider is aware that the spectators can truly appreciate his performance. Studies show that when spectators are blindfolded, the action of co-presence on the rider disappears. The positive or negative influence of spectators would be explained by the elevation of the athlete's level of alertness. Some researchers have shown that if this level rises too much, performance increases and eventually decreases.
