Discussion on Sports Culture: Personal Practices, Economics, and Regional Comparisons

Host's Sports History:
- The host does not currently practice sports due to a lack of time.
- In the past, specifically during primary and secondary school, the host practiced basketball, soccer (fútbol), gymnastics, and karate.
- The host now focuses on exercising for physical health rather than organized sports.
Hudson's Sports History:
- Currently plays golf and basketball.
- During secondary school, he played baseball.
- He plays golf for fun with friends rather than as part of a formal team.
Grace's Sports History:
- Played basketball and volleyball in high school.
- Currently does not play sports because she does not know the reason herself, though she exercises at her university gym.
Sydney's Sports History:
- Was a cheerleader (porrista) in secondary school.
- Currently practices sports occasionally, specifically playing golf and soccer with her brothers for fun ("nada profesional").
Malacay's Sports History:
- Plays golf with friends rather than for a university team.

Host's Perspective:
- Prefers watching individual sports such as swimming, gymnastics, and athletics.
- Rationale: Individual sports have less physical contact and appear highly competitive.
Student Perspectives:
- Hudson: Prefers group sports because they are more fun.
- Sydney: Prefers group sports with friends because it makes the activity "more fun."
- Group Dynamic: Group members highlighted soccer (American football), baseball, and basketball as preferred group sports.
- Golf as a Group Sport: Sydney classifies golf as a group sport because it is played in matches or "rounds" (rondas) with others.
- Grace: Enjoys watching group sports like basketball and American football.

Favorite Sports to Watch:
- The Host: Gymnastics is the top favorite. This is influenced by Guatemala's participation in Olympic gymnastics, making it exciting to watch local athletes compete.
- Grace: Watches basketball and American football.
- Malacay: Watches American football, basketball, and golf.
- Sydney: Watches American football, volleyball, gymnastics, and a little bit of basketball.
- Hudson: Watches baseball and American football.
Cultural Note (Basketball):
- In Guatemala, basketball is popular only at the secondary school level; it is not popular as a professional sport.

The Cost of Sports in the USA:
- Access to sports is not equal for everyone because certain sports are expensive.
- Golf: Cited by multiple students as being very expensive ("caro") and not a "golf golf" experience for everyone (some play mini-golf to save money).
- Tennis: Also identified as an expensive sport.
- Basketball and Baseball: Described as more accessible or "easier" for the general population to participate in compared to golf.
The Cost of Sports in Guatemala:
- Expensive Sports: Golf, tennis, and equitation (horseback riding).
- Accessible (Cheap) Sports: Baseball, swimming, soccer, cycling, and athletics.

General Participation: Students agree that in the United States, men and women can play most of the same sports, including basketball, golf, tennis, and soccer.
American Football Gender Divide:
- There is a notable absence of women in American football.
- Reasoning: The high level of physical contact and the "physical" nature of the sport are cited as reasons why women typically do not play.
Cross-Cultural Comparison (Physical Contact):
- The host notes that in Guatemala, women practice boxing (boxeo), which involves high contact, yet they still do not practice American football because it is not popular in the country.

Guatemala's Top 3 Sports:
1. Soccer (Fútbol)
2. Cycling
3. Athletics
Student Rankings (USA Perspective):
- Grace: Basketball, volleyball, and softball.
- Sydney: American football, golf, and volleyball.
- Hudson: American football, baseball, and golf.
- Malacay: Yoga, golf, and athletics.