Monuments to the Pharaohs dating to around 2000 B.C. indicate there were numerous sports including the high jump, javelin, long jump, rowing, running, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Greece became enamored with sports around 1,500 B.C. and began the Olympic Games in 776 B.C. which took place every four years depending upon wars, through 393 A.D. It included the games I listed above along with boxing and throwing the discus. The Olympics returned in 1896 and were held in Athens then rotated every four years to different cities and countries.
I find it amazing that women in Greece began competing in the 6th century B.C. in the Heraean Games; named after the goddess Hera. The events were mostly running competitions.
We love our sports and it appears with what I read that wrestling is what started it all. I admit I was shocked that there was proof that sporting competitions were taking place over 12,000 years ago; although I don’t really call it a sport unless it’s football.