Literary creation with a sports theme arose in Spain in 1893 when Miguel de Unamuno dedicated one of his works to Jai-Alai, or the "pelota vasca" ball game.

The Generation of '98 took sport to the world of literature, in a constant race in which several hundred compositions tackled all kinds of sporting disciplines.

This phenomenon has also given rise to its observation and study, since the twentieth century, by linguistic, educational, sporting and journalistic institutions.

Outstanding among the first is the Spanish Linguistics Society which has collected in its annual symposia studies on the literary language of sport in texts by Jardiel Poncela.

Educational establishments have developed various lines of work. First, the inclusion of literature as a curriculum subject, with the pioneering work of the Faculty of Education of the University of Valladolid.

Second, the consideration of sports literature as a new literary form.

Third, the undertaking of various scientific studies and communications relating to the history of literature, with the reflection in literary texts of the evolution of the history of physical education and with literary production on the subject of football and modern sport.

And fourth, the work on literary sports texts as teaching and curriculum material at non-university level, carried out in the in the Canary Islands.

Noteworthy among the sporting institutions is the case of the National Delegation of Physical Education and Sports, which has put into place three lines of action since 1969.

First, scientific research of literature with a sports theme, begun by Antonio Gallego Morell.

Second, the announcement of the Olimpia Prize for novels with a sports theme, which was awarded on World Book Day and published by Planeta.

And third, the journalistic distribution of sports literature via the magazine Deporte 2000.

Journalistic and communications companies also collaborated in the consideration of sports language as a prestigious norm capable of generating a literary language. This process affected two lines of work: the announcement of prizes and the distribution of sports literature as a cultural form.