I for one am tired of poker, pool and jump rope being called a sport. Tired of golfers, drivers, and baseball players being called athletes.
Clearly a travesty has been committed if one is comparing the skills and prowess of the likes of Lebron James to John Daly.
Since the players of "sports" are so often referred to as athletes I move to change the meaning of "sport" thereby demoting several activities from "sports" to "games"
What guidelines can we come up with to insure that those who play true sports are indeed at the peak of their physical performance, in great shape and posses remarkable skills? True "athletes." What can we do to make this statement true, "Only athletes play sports."
I propose that in order to be classified as "sport" all of these qualities must be met.
-Activity requiring significant stamina, strength, speed, strategy, agility and intensity.
-Activity requiring above average skill and talent.
-Activity always ends with objective winner.
-Either team/individual directly influences success of other team/individual (offense vs defense)
So going down the line of "sports" in Y!A we have
Auto racing, not a sport. Does not require much strength or speed, nor is there much offensive vs defensive battles.
Baseball, not a sport. Does not require stamina (besides pitchers) (also how many current "sports" are there where players actually gain weight during the game?)
Basketball, sport!
Boxing, not a sport. Does not always have objective winner.
skip some...
American Football, sport, but barely. Minimal stamina, and sport that most often ends in a tie...
Golf, not a sport. No speed, stamina or intensity. No offense vs defense.
MMA, hmm, sport even though it can be somewhat subjective, not anywhere close to boxing, diving, or gymnastics though.
Running, not a sport, little to no skill or strategy, no offense/defense.
Pool, dear God, not a sport. No talent, no stamina, strength, agility, etc...
Tennis, sport!
Volleyball, pushing it, sport but just barely, minimal stamina and speed.
Poker, holy mother of god, not a sport. No talent, little skill, no stamina, speed, agility, strength, no offense vs defense, etc... etc.. etc...
Any objections/additions?
Clearly a travesty has been committed if one is comparing the skills and prowess of the likes of Lebron James to John Daly.
Since the players of "sports" are so often referred to as athletes I move to change the meaning of "sport" thereby demoting several activities from "sports" to "games"
What guidelines can we come up with to insure that those who play true sports are indeed at the peak of their physical performance, in great shape and posses remarkable skills? True "athletes." What can we do to make this statement true, "Only athletes play sports."
I propose that in order to be classified as "sport" all of these qualities must be met.
-Activity requiring significant stamina, strength, speed, strategy, agility and intensity.
-Activity requiring above average skill and talent.
-Activity always ends with objective winner.
-Either team/individual directly influences success of other team/individual (offense vs defense)
So going down the line of "sports" in Y!A we have
Auto racing, not a sport. Does not require much strength or speed, nor is there much offensive vs defensive battles.
Baseball, not a sport. Does not require stamina (besides pitchers) (also how many current "sports" are there where players actually gain weight during the game?)
Basketball, sport!
Boxing, not a sport. Does not always have objective winner.
skip some...
American Football, sport, but barely. Minimal stamina, and sport that most often ends in a tie...
Golf, not a sport. No speed, stamina or intensity. No offense vs defense.
MMA, hmm, sport even though it can be somewhat subjective, not anywhere close to boxing, diving, or gymnastics though.
Running, not a sport, little to no skill or strategy, no offense/defense.
Pool, dear God, not a sport. No talent, no stamina, strength, agility, etc...
Tennis, sport!
Volleyball, pushing it, sport but just barely, minimal stamina and speed.
Poker, holy mother of god, not a sport. No talent, little skill, no stamina, speed, agility, strength, no offense vs defense, etc... etc.. etc...
Any objections/additions?