THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN SPORTS: HISTORICAL INFLUENCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CHINESE SPORTS VALUES

Max Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism theorizes the Protestant ethic, providing a foundation for exploring the formation of Protestant ethics through the Reformation and how it shaped modern sportsmanship. This study discusses the potential impact of Protestant ethics on China's sports modernization and suggests how Chinese sports development can draw upon Protestant values to enhance sportsmanship and cultural growth. Finally, it proposes a distinctive sports ethics with Chinese characteristics adapted to China’s current context. KEYWORDS: Protestant Ethic, Modern Sports Development, Sports Ethics, Cultural Values