Yeah, I know… I wrote that I wouldn’t update the rest of this week, but I’ve got something burning in my gut that I can’t let pass. And yes, it has something to do with the Olympic Games.
For some crazy reason, my mind didn’t flip a switch and wander elsewhere when Two Guys Named Chris started yapping about the Olympic Games this morning. They started talking about some of the different types of events that aren’t being shown on television. And I’m cool with the use of the word “event” to describe some of the things going on at the Olympic Games.
Wanna know what’s chapping my hide?
I’ve heard folks talking about events like diving and gymnastics… And they’re calling them sports. Sports!
In my opinion, any event in which your performance is judged is NOT a sport. It is an exhibition.
Swimming is a sport. Diving is an exhibition.
Archery is a sport. Gymnastics is an exhibition.
You get the idea?
Would I consider these people athletes?
Yes. It takes a lot of physical training to do what they do.
If you contest my ideas, think about this… Are the competitors on the television show So You Think You Can Dance participating in a sport?
No. It’s an exhibition looked over and rated by judges.
If you’re finishing position depends on someone rating your performance, that in my opinion is an exhibition. If you run 100 meters and cross a finish line… No matter what position you finish in, you’ve just competed in a sport.
It’s just my opinion and I had to get it out of my system. If your opinion differs… Please leave a comment.
Thank you for your patronage.
Steve Healey presents
ReplyDeleteThe Rigorous Definition of a Sport
STEVE HEALEY'S HOMEPAGE
Amongst the unwashed masses, there is a persistent epidemic of lexical ignorance. Throughout the English-speaking world, millions of innocent people go about their daily lives without the slightest notion of the true nature of sport; they, in their generous but ignorant way, bless many an activity with the title of "sport," but they, sadly, are often mistaken. However, there is hope for you, O neophytes; I am here to enlighten you.
Thus, I present the Rigorous Definition of a Sport:
A sport is any activity in which all of the following take place:
An individual playing session is held between exactly two opposing players or teams.
The successful completion of a playing session results in a win for one player or team and a loss for the other or a tie between the two players or teams.
An integer score is assigned to each team corresponding directly to the number of times certain predetermined actions are performed by that team. The only judgment by any official regarding the score is whether these actions were performed. The winner of the playing session is determined by the final score.
The players regularly engage in rapid, self-propelled locomotion. Examples include, but are not limited to, running, skating, and swimming.
The duration of the game is limited either by time or by the completion of a preselected number of play units, the scope of which is determined by the completion of certain events during play.
The objective of the activity does not at any time directly involve physically harming an opponent.
The status of a solid inanimate object, movable by the force of one player, is of central importance when play is active. Furthermore, when play is active, the object is not physically attached to any player; and it is not rendered motionless, held, or contained by any player for an extended period of time.
No live animals, other than humans, are used.
In accordance with this definition, the following are sports:
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cricket
Football
Handball
Hockey
Jai alai
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Rugby
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Tennis
Volleyball
Water polo
In accordance with this definition, the following are not sports:
Air hockey
Archery
Automobile racing
Biathlon
Billiards
Bobsled
Bowling
Boxing
Canoeing/kayaking
Card games
Cheerleading
Croquet
Curling
Cycling
Diving
Equestrian
Fencing
Figure skating
Golf
Gymnastics
Luge
Martial arts
Polo
Rowing
Sailing
Shooting
Speed skating
Skiing, ski jump, and snowboarding
Swimming
Synchronized swimming
Table tennis
Track and field
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Questions and comments regarding the Rigorous Definition of a Sport should be directed to Steve Healey at (sehealey [AT] stanford [DOT] edu). Hate mail is welcome and appreciated!
LOL
ReplyDeleteWonder where "sex" falls on that list???
ReplyDeleteI personally consider anything a sport where you have to trian. Could you dive that far up Eugene, and NOT hit your head on the diving board, or tumble as fast as they do without getting dizzy? I don't think so... therefore making Gymnastics and Diving BOTH sports, at least in my mind.
ReplyDeletePamela