[mattyb]

I say that it needs to be measurable.

For example with time, distance, weight, etc. Once humans have to give their opinion about how good something is, it doesn't count as a sport for me (eg. ice skating or diving or some 99% of gymnastics). However I haven't got a clue how to measure a boxing match for example when someone doesn't get knocked out.

[Andy8]

A winner?

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

I say that it needs to be measurable.

For example with time, distance, weight, etc. Once humans have to give their opinion about how good something is, it doesn't count as a sport for me (eg. ice skating or diving or some 99% of gymnastics). However I haven't got a clue how to measure a boxing match for example when someone doesn't get knocked out.

Excellent point. Whenever a judge is involved it isn't really a sport. I never thought about boxing that way, but I guess it isn't really any more of a sport than gymnastics.

[SpaceMonkey]

I thought gymnastics (at least at the Olympic level) had removed most of the subjective/artistic categories? They all now basically start with the top score and get points deducted for various mistakes in the execution of their routine.

[kylef]

I've always gone with the "if it's physically straining and tiring" definition - and not with little things. For instance, I would not consider golf a sport but would boxing.

[harbinger75]

sport |spôrt|
noun
1 an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment : team sports such as baseball and soccer

I'd say they are all sports. Doesn't matter whether YOU think they are or whether I think they are. I think NASCAR should burn in a fiery pit of Hell, but that doesn't mean it's not a "sport."

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey 

I thought gymnastics (at least at the Olympic level) had removed most of the subjective/artistic categories? They all now basically start with the top score and get points deducted for various mistakes in the execution of their routine.

My friend says some maneuvers are more complicated than others, so they're worth more points. If you put in a few complicated maneuvers, it gives you more wiggle room to make minor mistakes that don't affect your score as much. If you keep to a really simple routine, your score will get killed if you make even the tiniest mistake.

[chabig]

I think the key word is "entertainment". That's the only reason poker and fishing get TV shows.

[olePigeon]

JOSH: My best sport is video hockey.
PAUL: That isn't a sport.
JOSH: Well, it takes eye to hand coordination.
PAUL: It's not a sport if you don't sweat!
JOSH: What about golf? You don't sweat and that's a sport.
PAUL: Yeah, and you're not sittin' there letting some machine do all the work!
JOSH: What about car racing?
PAUL: Shut up Baskin!

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

My friend says some maneuvers are more complicated than others, so they're worth more points. If you put in a few complicated maneuvers, it gives you more wiggle room to make minor mistakes that don't affect your score as much. If you keep to a really simple routine, your score will get killed if you make even the tiniest mistake.

I don't like for sports to be judged, personally because it's always going to be subjective. When looking at a boxing score card, sometimes it's like all the judges were watching two different fights. I always felt boxing should just be last man standing and winner take all or at least a 90/10 split AT MOST. I bet we would see some historic matches then, and a lot less controversial decisions.

[Sealobo]

it's sport if:

1) it keeps scores, and;

2) it sells ad among breaks.

I don't think car racing is a sport because it lacks physical exertion. While it takes extreme concentration, driving skill, and you often sweat buckets during a race, it does not require athletic ability any more than playing a video game.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by hayesk 

I don't think car racing is a sport because it lacks physical exertion. While it takes extreme concentration, driving skill, and you often sweat buckets during a race, it does not require athletic ability any more than playing a video game.

Try it sometime and see how quickly your left leg fatigues because of a stiff clutch, your right elbow gives out from shifting, and both of your arms barely move from cranking a wheel without the help of power steering.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

My friend says some maneuvers are more complicated than others, so they're worth more points. If you put in a few complicated maneuvers, it gives you more wiggle room to make minor mistakes that don't affect your score as much. If you keep to a really simple routine, your score will get killed if you make even the tiniest mistake.

Right, it's like diving.

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Try it sometime and see how quickly your left leg fatigues because of a stiff clutch, your right elbow gives out from shifting, and both of your arms barely move from cranking a wheel without the help of power steering.

No thanks. Muscle fatigue doesn't necessarily indicate athletic ability. Not that I'm saying you're wrong, but I'd like to see some information on how athletic one must be to race. Compare it to say, racing a bicycle.

[starman]

This thread again?

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by hayesk 

No thanks. Muscle fatigue doesn't necessarily indicate athletic ability. Not that I'm saying you're wrong, but I'd like to see some information on how athletic one must be to race. Compare it to say, racing a bicycle.

I've yet to see a professional race car driver that looks grossly out of shape.

My point is that there is physical exertion involved in racing, and that someone in good physical shape will have an advantage.

I don't think the level of exertion defines a sport though - I can play competitive volleyball and barely brake a sweat, and I can play friendly, casual basketball and sweat buckets.

[Sealobo]

Originally Posted by hayesk 

No thanks. Muscle fatigue doesn't necessarily indicate athletic ability. Not that I'm saying you're wrong, but I'd like to see some information on how athletic one must be to race. Compare it to say, racing a bicycle.

Maybe you can try to relate racing in its highest form... such as Formula 1. One can do ANY sports casually and need not to be athletic. But to compete with the best, one has to be. F1 drivers have some crazy neck and back muscle i tell you. If you can't even stand the amplified weight of your own head (and the helmet) under maximum braking, then you're not qualified to compete.

[Cipher13]

It's an interesting question.

Very generally, anything judged subjectively (even with predefined 'difficulties' associated with particular maneuvers), or with a maximum attainable score, is not a 'sport' in my eyes (and mine alone; it's a functional definition, no doubt flawed).

Take bowling, for example. That is most certainly not a sport.

[IceEnclosure]

Originally Posted by hayesk 

I don't think car racing is a sport because it lacks physical exertion. While it takes extreme concentration, driving skill, and you often sweat buckets during a race, it does not require athletic ability any more than playing a video game.

How about it being a sport because it's a contest of speed* between competitors?

Also regular people would fall down after simply being a passenger(!) in a formula 1 car, let alone piloting one.

*edit

[Hawkeye_a]

"Winning", "scores", "competition"... ugh... get over it. I'm sorry but i have to chime in here, cause my primary 'sport' is surfing, and when i go out, im not looking to 'win' or to 'compete' with anyone else. the only benchmark i have to live upto is my own ability. Some people would probably not classify surfing as a sport because of that.

This is obviously a very subjective question, so this is all just my opinion.

But for conventional competitive sports the things i think should define them are things that test the human body and/or mind.

Skill, stamina, speed and strength.

[Sealobo]

surfing and skateboarding are in the same category.

[harbinger75]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

"Winning", "scores", "competition"... ugh... get over it. I'm sorry but i have to chime in here, cause my primary 'sport' is surfing, and when i go out, im not looking to 'win' or to 'compete' with anyone else. the only benchmark i have to live upto is my own ability. Some people would probably not classify surfing as a sport because of that.

This is obviously a very subjective question, so this is all just my opinion.

But for conventional competitive sports the things i think should define them are things that test the human body and/or mind.

Skill, stamina, speed and strength.

However, because YOU don't compete or attempt to "win" while surfing, that doesn't mean it isn't a sport because there is, indeed, competitive surfing. I think the point is that no matter what anybody says about a particular event being a sport or not, if there is a competitive level of it somewhere on earth, then it's a sport. I don't think several "sports" are actually sports, but that doesn't mean they aren't.

[Eriamjh]

George Carlin had an act about "sports".

"Anything anyone can do isn't a sport. Running isn't a sport. My mother can run. You don't see her on the cover of Sports Illustrated, do you?"

Etc.

He also said only (american) football, baseball, and basketball were sports. Everything else is a "game" or an "activity".

Hockey isn't a sport. Hockey is three different activities: ice skating, playing with a puck, and beating the sh*t out of somebody.

Go Red Wings!

[Hawkeye_a]

Originally Posted by harbinger75 

However, because YOU don't compete or attempt to "win" while surfing, that doesn't mean it isn't a sport because there is, indeed, competitive surfing. I think the point is that no matter what anybody says about a particular event being a sport or not, if there is a competitive level of it somewhere on earth, then it's a sport. I don't think several "sports" are actually sports, but that doesn't mean they aren't.

Thats true. I guess thats what bugs me about pro 'competitive' surfing... it's way too subjective as opposed to objective. it's like having a canvas painting competition.