It's time for one of my favorite debates of all time: what defines a sport?This post is going to cover my arguments for what I believe determines what is and isn't a sport, and I'm hopeful that your comments will shed additional light on the subject. Then, in ensuing posts, I will be discussing various sports/ activities/games individually to determine whether or not they qualify as a sport.
Okay, so moving right along to the criteria that determine whether an activity is a sport.
1. Competition - There has to be something at stake. A leader board, standings, playoffs, a championship, whatever. If the activitity you're participating in has no way to measure whether you or your team is better than the other guy, then chances are it isn't a sport.
2. Physical fitness required for excellence - Just about any sport can be played by some slob that just got off the couch, but to be the best at a sport, you have to be in pretty darn good shape. In games and activities, that slob very well may be the best around.
That's it. Those are my only two stipulations, and I'm sticking by them -- unless you can convince me otherwise with your comment.
The sports/activities/games that I'm planning to discuss in future posts include, but are not limited to the following: poker, NASCAR, figure skating, bowling, table tennis, darts, golf, billiards, and competitive eating. Got any more suggestions?
2. Physical fitness required for excellence - Just about any sport can be played by some slob that just got off the couch, but to be the best at a sport, you have to be in pretty darn good shape. In games and activities, that slob very well may be the best around.
That's it. Those are my only two stipulations, and I'm sticking by them -- unless you can convince me otherwise with your comment.
The sports/activities/games that I'm planning to discuss in future posts include, but are not limited to the following: poker, NASCAR, figure skating, bowling, table tennis, darts, golf, billiards, and competitive eating. Got any more suggestions?
15 comments:
[Puts on English major hat] I don't like the word "competition" in your definition. It's too vague. I go by something more hardline: The activity one is participating in must have concrete measurable results that can be compared to determine a winner. Therefore, competitions that require subjective judging to directly determine a score (eg: skateboard halfpipe, cheerleading, diving, etc.) are not sports, whereas competitions with subjective judgment calls that lead to concrete objective scoring (basketball, baseball, any sport with officials making fouls calls and the like) are definitely still sports.
Ah, semantics. I was an English major for a couple of semesters, but then dropped it and stuck with Communication. They must have taught "competition" in those last few classes. :-)
I understand your point, but I have to disagree. Just because there is subjectivity involved in determining a winner does not make something less of a sport, in my very humble opinion.
I have to disagree with David Arnott. I think that the "concrete measurable results" theorem is a unique feature to American sports, which are the only ones that make a fetish out of statistics.
It also excludes figure skating or rhythmic gymnastics, which, though having an artistic element, are incredibly athletic endeavors.
I agree with your definition Kevin, although I would be more spartan in my frazing. My definition of sport would be anything inolving athleticism and an element of competition.
I love this debate.
Let me throw some support to my fellow English major David here. I have always felt the same thing about what defines a sport. A sport keeps score, times something or in some way gives a definite measurement of performance. Events that require a subjective judgement to determine the outcome I define as a competition (not to further cloud that term).
For example, swimming is a sport, while diving is a competition.
This is not to say that competitions (my definition) are not athletic or are inferior to sports. I would even say that in the previous example, diving is more athletic than swimming (if you define athletic as movement and body control, not necessarily strength--another definition up for debate).
I do agree with Kevin's other rules, though. Poker might keep score (in a manner), but does not require any athletic ability. Not a sport. So what is it? There is a third option: It is a game.
Oh boy, gotta love these arguments. Unfortunately I'm always left with the task of defending the sport I love to play most: golf. Many people qualify it as "leisure activity" instead of "sport" (which, Kevin, if I remember right, you were one of them). I believe it to be very much a sport because of the competition, strategy, and strength of mind and body involved (most of us do have to actually carry our bags around ourselves). This is why I think your second stipulation is a bit off. I don't think physical fitness is NECESSARY, as many PGA-ers are not the physical specimens that football players are, but I think having many of an activity's members being physically fit helps validate it as a sport.
I can think of another element necessary to declare something a sport - an audience. A group of friends could hold a bizarre foot race through town once a week to determine who is buying dinner that night. It requires physical endurance and they could even keep statistics and crown a champion. But if there isn't a certain level of spectator interest then I wouldn't call it a sport.
Interesting comments, everyone. Keep it coming, if you wish. Later this afternoon or evening, I'll be writing the first installment: table tennis. Get ready for your arguments.
@tyduffy: thanks for chiming in. I would agree that Americans have an odd fascination with numbers as they relate to sports. I know because I am guilty of just such a charge.
@Chris: Not sure you can make the call that objectivity in judging determines whether something is a sport or a competition/activity/game. There are so many subjective variables at stake in all mainstream sports. Think about the strike zone; it changes every night.
@Luke: I will cover golf, and you might be pleasantly surprised at my final "judgment." :-)
@Dean: Interesting perspective. I tend to disagree that an audience is required for sport, though. Isn't sport what happens between two or more competitors? Does it matter who is there to see it? What if the WNBA shuts down because it isn't drawing any fans? Does basketball cease to be a sport?
Golf is totally a sport. I think sport can be defined as competition plus skill. If physical fitness were the main requirement for what is to be considered a sport, then Babe Ruth and baseball wouldn't make the cut.
Regarding your example of the strike zone: yes, different umps call it differently, but the rules clearly define what the strike zone is. That's different than a judge awarding a dive a 9.5. That is more comparable to saying 'OK, after nine innings, I give the Mariners a 8.0 for their play tonight, and the Rangers a 6.5. Seattle wins.' All sports have some level of human judgement, but not all sports rely on that judgement to determine the outcome.
As for Dean's audience requirement, I don't think that is necessary. No one watches me play pickup basketball--is that not a sport?
My friends and I have this argument all the time. We also have multiple categories, including sport, athletic event/contest, leisure activity.
Rule #1 is certainly an objective way to measure results. I'm sorry, I know it takes athletic ability, and years of practice to compete in say diving, or gymnastics, but when you are performing at such a high level can you seriously tell me that so and so's dive was .10 better than someone elses?
Why not have marching band competitions in the olympics then? Or singing competitions?
Rule #2 states that in order for something to be classified as a sport there must be a credible defense. (Insert michigan joke here.)I'm sorry, but half of sports is 'scoring' and the other half is keeping someone from doing the same. If you don't have the ability to play defense against your opponent forget it.(Yes, this disqualifies golf as an official sport, but don't get your polo shirts ruffled, we're merely defining words here, not saying your game isn't cool.)
I can't help but notice that your article is strikingly similar to mine here:
http://44sports.blogspot.com/2006/05/what-is-sport-definitive-answer.html
or here:
http://tinyurl.com/2nx9re
Coincidence, I'm sure. Still, I tease out my answer a little bit more if you'd like to give it a read. (our rule #1 is nearly exact though)
I think sports activities are those activities in which physical body involves and body’s muscles activate, we can’t include computers games into sports category.
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According to your definition of sport, couldn't war be a sport? It requires competition and physical exertion. What about marching band?
I think we're all picking nits over whether an activity is a game, sport or competition. After all, aren't they all different types/ levels of competition? Whether it be a physical or mental fitness/ skill required,or if the judging is subjective or objective should not be the deciding factor. They are all sports/ competitions/ games/ activities. The focus should be whether they are athletic sports or not. Boxing is as much a sport as soccer or golf ... Or chess!
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