Abstract
The aim of this paper is to analyse sport records and consider why there are two kinds of them: performance records and statistical records. Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 s in a 100 m race is a prominent example of a performance record, while an example of a statistical record is Michael Phelps’ 18 Olympic gold medals. This categorisation of two types of sport record is a development of Sigmund Loland’s view. Loland focuses on performance records and largely ignores statistical records; I develop Loland’s explanation of performance records and present an original description of statistical records. I also address an argument that Loland employs to challenge performance records—the record dilemma. My analysis of the relationship between performance records and statistical records reveals that a performance record is a special example of a statistical record. I also argue that the function of sport records is to direct sports towards universality, which reflects a common tendency of sports. The existence of two kinds of sport records allows this to be fully realised.
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