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A Definition of Sport
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 2005-03-25 9:09 AM |
Expert  1013  White House, TN |  Subject: A Definition of SportI didn't want to hijack a perfectly viable thread about swim distances with this, so I have moved it over to here. joeinco made the following comment on another thread: "Reading this, I'm suddenly hearing those arguments about whether bowlers, golfers, and NASCAR drivers are 'athletes.' And since ESPN carries poker, are THEY athletes." The better question is are these things sports. This simple answer to this better question is yes, yes, no, and no. These are the rules to cover whether something is a sport or not: Rule #1: Any physical activity involving a ball shall be considered a sport. ("Ball" is used here as a general term and can be substituted with "puck," "frisbee," or certain other sports equipment.) Rule #2: Any physical activity where competitors race against opponents with an objective source of measurement shall be considered a sport. (e.g. running races, bike races, triathlons, long jumping, pole vaulting, et al.) Rule #3: Any physical activity where competitors purposefully contact one another in an attempt to subdue the opponent shall be considered a sport. (e.g. boxing, wrestling, ultimate fighting, et al.) Rule #4: Unless an activity is conducted under human power, it shall NOT be considered a sport. (e.g. auto racing and horse racing are NOT sports.) Rule #5: Any activity that is subjectively judged shall NOT be considered a sport. (e.g. figure skating, gymnastics, diving, et al.) With these rules established, we have to rule golf a sport, because it involves a ball. We must rule bowling a sport for the same reason. However, NASCAR is not a sport because it not conducted underhuman power. Likewise, I've ruled poker as a non-sport because of the lack of physical activity. Don't tell me it takes a lot endurance to sit through a tournament; I used to sit around all day before I started training, too. It wasn't endurance; it was laziness. Now, please realize that this is definition of sport and not of an athlete. I hesitate to call a bowler an athlete while saying that gymnast is not. However, I will hold to the idea that gymnastics is not a sport but rather a strenuous physical pursuit. Comments? [don asbestos underwear] |
| 2005-03-25 9:57 AM in reply to: #134041 |
Champion 5183   Wisconsin | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport I think of sports as any physical activity that has an intrinsic competive motivation, even if it's just competition againts the elements or your own self... so poker= no physical activity, no sport horse racing and auto racing, involves physical activity, sport. ditto for gymnastics. someone's subjective assessment of my performace has nothing to do with my physical activity or competitive drive... But that's my gut knee jerk response. so far. will check back and see what others say and to edit and ammend my first thoughts! |
| 2005-03-25 10:31 AM in reply to: #134041 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport interesting discussion. in defense of gymnastics and figure skating...not all of it is subjective. what you always see on tv are the artistic components. skaters have to be able to complete certain elements compared to other athletes, very much 'race against opponents with an objective source of measurement shall be considered a sport.' not timed, mind you, but if possum can do consecutive triples, and i only do doubles, she wins. i assume there are similar behind the scenes measures for gymnastics. artistic performances are much like ballet...but ballerinas are not considered athletes? if i remember, they have as high a rate of athletic injury, if not higher, as professional football players. george carlin has a good bit about sports. wish i could find the transcript of it online. very funny stuff (he doesn't consider running OR golf to be sports, btw).  |
| 2005-03-25 10:40 AM in reply to: #134041 |
Expert 1836 Lafayette, CO | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport Hawkeye - 2005-03-25 7:09 AM Rule #3: Any physical activity where competitors purposefully contact one another in an attempt to subdue the opponent shall be considered a sport. (e.g. boxing, wrestling, ultimate fighting, et al.) [don asbestos underwear] So poker isn't a sport, but strip poker is? I think any activity where you break a sweat by actively moving a ball/puck/opponent/etc and the intention is to score enough points/have a faster time/etc than an opponent should be considered a sport. Trying to BS your way to a pot of money isn't (apologies to all the MLB/NFL/NBA stars that do that every bargaining season). Having done a bodybuilding contest, I don't believe that made me an athlete. Running in my first 5k made me more of an athlete (a slow one, but still...) This crap about Texas Hold 'Em poker stars on ESPN, to me, is just unbelievable. Are we really THAT bored for entertainment, that we have to watch other people play cards? Why not go outside and watch the grass grow? Considering that the ongoing media-frenzy about 'the obesity problem in America' is constantly reminding us that we make terrible nutrition choices and don't spend enough time trying to manage our health, WHY would any sports network air a show about PEOPLE SITTING ON THEIR FAT @$$ES? |
| 2005-03-25 10:42 AM in reply to: #134093 |
Expert 1836 Lafayette, CO | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport autumn - 2005-03-25 8:31 AM i assume there are similar behind the scenes measures for gymnastics. artistic performances are much like ballet...but ballerinas are not considered athletes? No, they are dancers. When ballerinas commence to body-checking each other into the orchestra pit: 1) they become athletes and 2) I'll watch a ballet. |
| 2005-03-25 11:05 AM in reply to: #134102 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport hee hee. well, come on over! i have girls in tutus body checking each other as we speak! |
| 2005-03-25 12:10 PM in reply to: #134041 |
Expert 1013 White House, TN | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport I understand all that happens in gymnastics and figure skating regarding necessary elements (compulsaries, right?). However, my position stands because of the debacle at the 2002 Olympics where scores were traded in two judged events. Had there been some way to put the two pairs against each other, with an objective system for scoring without "artistic interpretation" or whatever, then there wouldn't have been the hubb-bubb. I'm not saying that they aren't gifted athletes, more gifted than most. But, I am saying that there is no way to objectively determine who is better. |
| 2005-03-25 12:22 PM in reply to: #134041 |
Master 1249 Lexington, Kentucky | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport I'm with you, up 'til #4. Strictly speaking, a bike is a machine that augments human power. Equestrian sports are pretty physically demanding. Polo involves a ball. What do you say? Do you consider fencing, kendo, etc. covered under #3? Re #5 - what about the subjective aspects of "hard" sports? (TKO's in boxing, or balls/strikes in baseball, for example?) just debating for fun... |
| 2005-03-25 1:08 PM in reply to: #134041 |
Pro 5153 Helena, MT | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport Here's an interesting article on the subject. For the record, I TOTALLY disagree with you about gymnastics. I say any physical activity in which one repeatedly goes ass over teakettle intentionally is a sport. I also agree that #4 eliminates biking. |
| 2005-03-25 4:59 PM in reply to: #134119 |
Champion 11641 Fairport, NY | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport autumn - 2005-03-25 11:05 AM hee hee. well, come on over! i have girls in tutus body checking each other as we speak! LOL. This event takes place in my kitchen a few times a week. Replace "ball" with "Elmo doll " in Rule #1, add in the tutus and you've got half of my weekend sport spectating right there. BTW, I like your definition. I'd be interested to see you take a stab at "athlete". Edited by marmadaddy 2005-03-25 5:00 PM |
| 2005-03-25 5:07 PM in reply to: #134177 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport hee hee. kim said ass over tea kettle. hee hee. |
| 2005-03-25 5:40 PM in reply to: #134041 |
Champion 5498 Whizzzzzlandia Silver member | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport It's been a long time since I've heard "ASS OVER TEAKETTLE..." Strikes me as amusing too.  |
| 2005-03-26 1:31 PM in reply to: #134177 |
Expert 1013 White House, TN | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport kimj81 - 2005-03-25 1:08 PM Here's an interesting article on the subject. For the record, I TOTALLY disagree with you about gymnastics. I say any physical activity in which one repeatedly goes ass over teakettle intentionally is a sport. I also agree that #4 eliminates biking. #4 is usually where I get a lot of flak...but from NASCAR fans and not cyclists. The difference is the source of power. A bicycle is still a human-powered vehicle whereas a stock car is simply human controlled. Likewise with equestrian pursuits. These activities do take a lot endurance, control, and skill. BUT, they are not sports. Sports must be human powered. Polo is a canundrum that I will have to ponder a bit. I also get problems with gymnasts. I do have the utmost respect for them but, because it's judged, I can't call it a sport. Perhaps if we set it up like a game of "horse." One gymnast performs a stunt and the other has to complete the same stunt. That would make it a sport. But, as it stands now, it can't be a sport. |
| 2005-03-27 7:13 PM in reply to: #134041 |
Champion 7704 Williamston, Michigan | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport Poker is a game not a sport. Take an adult gymnastics class and then tell me its not a sport. |
| 2005-03-29 9:43 AM in reply to: #134041 |
Veteran 132 Montreal | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport I would draw the line between "athletes" and "people who play sports". I would say that golf is a sport, but a golfer isn't an athlete. I think that the level of physical fitness necessary to participate in the "sport" is what defines whether the people participating in the sport are athletes or not. Matthew |
| 2005-03-29 10:20 AM in reply to: #134041 |
Buttercup 14334 | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport If NASCAR is a sport, then I've been an elite athlete for 25 years. Not a sport! It's a competition with large machinery. |
| 2005-03-29 10:51 AM in reply to: #134041 |
| Elite 2458 Livingston, MT | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport Nascar is a sport. It requires physical dexterity and endurance. The simple definition of sport: If I can bet on it in Vegas, then it's a sport. |
| 2005-03-29 11:39 AM in reply to: #135154 |
Champion 5183 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport m80 - 2005-03-29 8:43 AM I would draw the line between "athletes" and "people who play sports". I would say that golf is a sport, but a golfer isn't an athlete. I think that the level of physical fitness necessary to participate in the "sport" is what defines whether the people participating in the sport are athletes or not. Matthew Are you kidding? Tiger Woods isn't an athlete? |
| 2005-03-29 11:43 AM in reply to: #135189 |
Buttercup 14334 | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport ChuckyFinster - 2005-03-29 10:51 AM Nascar is a sport. It requires physical dexterity and endurance. So does playing Pikmin for hours on end. My HR really gets up there, too, when the sun starts going down and I haven't got all my Pikmin in the spaceships. :-P By your definition, my nephew who spends hours playing video games is playing a sport. Don't let him hear that or we'll never get him off his arse and on his bike! |
| 2005-03-29 11:54 AM in reply to: #134041 |
Elite 2553 Tucson, AZ | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport I roadrace motorcycles (BT album has pics). It's a sport because it meets Rule #1. It requires balls. |
| 2005-03-29 11:59 AM in reply to: #135222 |
| Elite 2458 Livingston, MT | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport Renee - 2005-03-29 8:43 AM ChuckyFinster - 2005-03-29 10:51 AM Nascar is a sport. It requires physical dexterity and endurance. So does playing Pikmin for hours on end. My HR really gets up there, too, when the sun starts going down and I haven't got all my Pikmin in the spaceships. :-P By your definition, my nephew who spends hours playing video games is playing a sport. Don't let him hear that or we'll never get him off his arse and on his bike! haha, let me fix my last statemnet! If I can bet on it in the "Sportsbook" portion of a casino in Vegas, then it's a sport. Who knew that you could bet on video games! |
| 2005-03-29 12:02 PM in reply to: #135189 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport ChuckyFinster - 2005-03-29 9:51 AM Nascar is a sport. It requires physical dexterity and endurance. The simple definition of sport: If I can bet on it in Vegas, then it's a sport. Have to agree with Chucky, just look at what the name stands for: Non Athletic Sport Catering Always to Rednecks |
| 2005-03-29 1:50 PM in reply to: #135232 |
| Elite 2458 Livingston, MT | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport the bear - 2005-03-29 9:02 AM ChuckyFinster - 2005-03-29 9:51 AM Nascar is a sport. It requires physical dexterity and endurance. The simple definition of sport: If I can bet on it in Vegas, then it's a sport. Have to agree with Chucky, just look at what the name stands for: Non Athletic Sport Catering Always to Rednecks Does tanned count as red? |
| 2005-03-29 2:05 PM in reply to: #134041 |
Veteran 152 Central Connecticut | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport |
| 2005-03-29 2:15 PM in reply to: #135154 |
Expert 1013 White House, TN | Subject: RE: A Definition of Sport m80 - 2005-03-29 9:43 AMI would draw the line between "athletes" and "people who play sports". I would say that golf is a sport, but a golfer isn't an athlete. I think that the level of physical fitness necessary to participate in the "sport" is what defines whether the people participating in the sport are athletes or not.Matthew YES! My point exactly!! |
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