[en] The role assumed by games and sports in their respective societies, can be enlightened by the analysis of their profound structure, whose invariant aspect contrast strongly with the incredible variety of the practices they give rise to. As Oulipo has shown for writings, games and sports are shaped by their system of constraints. These constraints determine structures named "universals" which are models based on an internal logic whose significant features characterize the motor action generated during the game. A detailed presentation of the basic structure of several universals is given (networks of motor communication, structure of the score interactions, scoring system…). The analysis' interest and difficulty comes from showing the links between the universals' properties and the striking orientations of the cultures the different games belong to. By using specific examples such as the Olympic Games, some relations between internal logic traits and cultural characteristics are presented: increasing the value of competition, the equality of opportunity, cooperation… The aim is to see if and how some dominant social representations are underlain by motor interaction situations whose simple mathematic properties can therefore prove decisive. The role assumed by games and sports in their respective societies, can be enlightened by the analysis of their profound structure, whose invariant aspect contrast strongly with the incredible variety of the practices they give rise to. As Oulipo has shown for writings, games and sports are shaped by their system of constraints. These constraints determine structures named "universals" which are models based on an internal logic whose significant features characterize the motor action generated during the game. A detailed presentation of the basic structure of several universals is given (networks of motor communication, structure of the score interactions, scoring system…). The analysis' interest and difficulty comes from showing the links between the universals' properties and the striking orientations of the cultures the different games belong to. By using specific examples such as the Olympic Games, some relations between internal logic traits and cultural characteristics are presented: increasing the value of competition, the equality of opportunity, cooperation… The aim is to see if and how some dominant social representations are underlain by motor interaction situations whose simple mathematic properties can therefore prove decisive.

[fr] Le rôle assumé par les jeux et les sports au sein de leurs sociétés respectives, peut être éclairé par l'analyse de leurs structures profondes dont l'aspect invariant tranche face à l'immense variété des pratiques qu'ils suscitent. Tout comme l'a montré l'Oulipo pour les productions littéraires, le jeu sportif est façonné par un système de contraintes. Ces contraintes déterminent des structures appelées " universaux " ; ceux-ci sont des modèles fondés sur une logique interne dont les traits pertinents caractérisent l'action motrice engendrée par le déroulement du jeu. Une présentation détaillée de la structure élémentaire de plusieurs universaux est proposée (réseaux de communication motrice, structure des interactions de marque, système des scores…). L'intérêt et la difficulté de l'analyse sont liés à la mise en évidence recherchée entre les propriétés des universaux et les orientations marquantes de la culture d'appartenance des différents jeux. En s'appuyant sur des exemples précis, notamment sur les Jeux Olympiques, certaines correspondances entre les traits de logique interne et les caractéristiques culturelles sont présentées : valorisation de la compétition, de l'égalité des chances, de la coopération… L'objectif recherché est de voir dans quelle mesure certaines représentations sociales dominantes sont sous-tendues par des situations d'interaction motrice dont les propriétés mathématiques;