Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Aldo Nova 'Blood On The Bricks'


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.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:23 AM

    Steve Healey presents
    The 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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1:29 PM

    LOL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous1:33 PM

    Wonder where "sex" falls on that list???

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  4. Anonymous8:37 AM

    I 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.

    Pamela

    ReplyDelete