General What is required for something to be a "sport"?

[MachidaKarate]

Here's what I'm getting at: Does something have to be athletic to be a sport?

For instance, is structured, competitive Magic: The Gathering a sport? How about chess? How about video games?

I have always tended to feel like anything could be "sportified" if it was a competitive activity and if structured competitions could be organized for people to come together and compete against each other. But I know a lot of people say that athleticism is required for something to be a sport, and some go even further by saying that if winners are declared via subjective judging (figure skating, for instance) then it's not a sport despite the athletic component.

What do you guys think?

 

[b00ts]

Here's what I'm getting at: Does something have to be athletic to be a sport?

For instance, is structured, competitive Magic: The Gathering a sport? How about chess? How about video games?

I have always tended to feel like anything could be "sportified" if it was a competitive activity and if structured competitions could be organized for people to come together and compete against each other. But I know a lot of people say that athleticism is required for something to be a sport, and some go even further by saying that if winners are declared via subjective judging (figure skating, for instance) then it's not a sport despite the athletic component.

What do you guys think?

By the definition of “sport”, I’d say golf is about the minimum physical exertion level. For video games and board games you have eSports and mind sports, respectively.

 

[1031]

Gross body movement.
Largely agreed upon rules.
Measurable way to determine a winner.
Environment by which play or action occurs probably has to have some standard to it.

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

Most of these losers on this forum thinkbeating cheetos should be a sport. Good luck getting any real answers.

Nascar is not a sport. I understand there is some physicality involved with the g forces and wrecks but its driving a car. There is a reason its popular in places where diabetes and obesity are rampant.

 

[member 3289]

By the definition of “sport”, I’d say golf is about the minimum physical exertion level.

Darts

 

[member 3289]

Most of these losers on this forum thinkbeating cheetos should be a sport. Good luck getting any real answers.

Nascar is not a sport. I understand there is some physicality involved with the g forces and wrecks but its driving a car. There is a reason its popular in places where diabetes and obesity are rampant.

Like Missouri?

 

[Papi Chingon]

Most of these losers on this forum thinkbeating cheetos should be a sport. Good luck getting any real answers.

Nascar is not a sport. I understand there is some physicality involved with the g forces and wrecks but its driving a car. There is a reason its popular in places where diabetes and obesity are rampant.

Over 100 counties amd the Olympic committee see chess as a sport.

 

[Robbie Hart]

Over 100 counties amd the Olympic committee see chess as a sport.

Don’t know who you’re taking to but ultimately chess is not a sport, it’s akin to dungeons and dragons

 

[Papi Chingon]

Don’t know who you’re taking to but ultimately chess is not a sport, it’s akin to dungeons and dragons

Nope, not even close. D&D athletes have a different look and smell to them, as well as a different IQ.

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

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Not quite bruv.

 

[maurice]

To weed out shit like video gaming and dancing, it has to be an at least somewhat strenuous physical activity with defense.

That's right, Nancy, golf and figure skating aren't real sports. Neither is running in a straight line really fast. NASCAR has defense, tho.

 

[Super Dave]

To weed out shit like video gaming and dancing, it has to be an at least somewhat strenuous physical activity with defense.

That's right, Nancy, golf and figure skating aren't real sports. Neither is running in a straight line really fast. NASCAR has defense, tho.

 

[SongExotic2]

Foxhunting

 

[b00ts]

To weed out shit like video gaming and dancing, it has to be an at least somewhat strenuous physical activity with defense.

That's right, Nancy, golf and figure skating aren't real sports. Neither is running in a straight line really fast. NASCAR has defense, tho.

Top level golf is actually pretty physical.

 

[maurice]

 

[MachidaKarate]

To weed out shit like video gaming and dancing, it has to be an at least somewhat strenuous physical activity with defense.

That's right, Nancy, golf and figure skating aren't real sports. Neither is running in a straight line really fast. NASCAR has defense, tho.

Damn, defense? This is the first time I've seen THAT requirement during one of these conversations.

 

[MachidaKarate]

Don’t know who you’re taking to but ultimately chess is not a sport, it’s akin to dungeons and dragons

I always tend toward a more liberal usage of the word "sport" so I think of chess as a sport, and as mentioned the IOC agrees.

It's kind of like poker. . . Is tournament poker a sport? It's often referred to as one, and I generally think of it as one.

 

[1031]

To weed out shit like video gaming and dancing, it has to be an at least somewhat strenuous physical activity with defense.

That's right, Nancy, golf and figure skating aren't real sports. Neither is running in a straight line really fast. NASCAR has defense, tho.

Don't gravity and ice count towards defense? What about having to perform better than someone trying to outperform you? Imagine taking a tumble on your ass in front of thousands of spectators and then having to get back while smiling away like nothing happened, balancing on two thin blades? Fuck that, I'll take a fight any day of the week over that.

 

[maurice]

If Dancing with the Stars isn't a sport, then neither is figure skating.

 

[SAJ]

I remember seeing darts on the sky sports channel and I used to think to myself how the hell can you call that a sport.

Fat dudes throwing darts while wearing jeans and drinking beer in between rounds wtf

 

[1031]

If Dancing with the Stars isn't a sport, then neither is figure skating.

DWTS isn't a sport because of the means by which participants are selected.
Figure skaters have to pay their dues on the ice.

 

[SongExotic2]

I always tend toward a more liberal usage of the word "sport" so I think of chess as a sport, and as mentioned the IOC agrees.

It's kind of like poker. . . Is tournament poker a sport? It's often referred to as one, and I generally think of it as one.

Poker is not a sport.

 

[Nemo?]

To weed out shit like video gaming and dancing, it has to be an at least somewhat strenuous physical activity with defense.

That's right, Nancy, golf and figure skating aren't real sports. Neither is running in a straight line really fast. NASCAR has defense, tho.

I agree on golf not being a real sport but sprinting for sure is.

 

[SongExotic2]

I agree on golf not being a real sport but sprinting for sure is.

No it ain't.

 

[Nemo?]

No it ain't.

Oh it is.....the training and the athleticism speaks for itself...plus if sprinting’s top stars played football or soccer you would see their athleticism transfer over.


Can’t say that about golfers.