That's Not A Real Sport...
Thursday, 13 February 2014 11:23![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dr_phil_physicsI can't tell you how many times this week I've seen complaints that X is not a sport.
-- Ski Jumping isn't a sport because it involves judges.
-- Ditto for figure skating, ice dancing, snowboarding, moguls, etc.
-- Biathlon isn't a sport because it's just cold weather basic training.
-- Short track speed skating isn't a sport because the winner is determined in the final sprint and staying clear of accidents.
-- Doubles luge isn't a sport you just stack two guys on a sled.
-- Four man bobsled isn't a sport because two of the guys are just there for ballast.
-- Ice dancing isn't a sport, because, well, DANCING.
-- X isn't a sport because it's all about the technology.
And the last straw...
-- Curling is not a sport. If curling is a sport, then so should billiards. Or so this person said on Facebook.
Now, the distinction between a sport and an Olympic sport is a political distinction. But I have to say that although I've been skeptical of some of the sports added to the Games, I've come around on most of them, including all those X-Games offshoots. I've been more annoyed at those sports that the Olympics have eliminated, like baseball in the summer games.
The idea that anything judged or partially judged isn't a sport I think is more of a dig at the judges than the athletes who have trained for years only to get flattened by the mythical East German judge. And I was accused of trolling by trying to point out that their example of a real sport, football, is also determined by the officials. No, you're wrong -- it's not like the official can decide to award 9 points instead of 6. Really? And judging whether or not a knee is down before the ball breaks the plane CAN'T affect the outcome of a game? At best it's a gray area.
Do judges sometimes get it wrong? Sure. So do officials. So do athletes. It's not like we're talking about a beauty pageant like the Westminster Dog Show as a sport.
And curling has all kinds of strategy, finesse and physical ability. Just because it's not as fast paced as hockey or ice dancing, doesn't make curling less than a sport.
Some people take all the fun out of everything.
Dr. Phil
-- Ski Jumping isn't a sport because it involves judges.
-- Ditto for figure skating, ice dancing, snowboarding, moguls, etc.
-- Biathlon isn't a sport because it's just cold weather basic training.
-- Short track speed skating isn't a sport because the winner is determined in the final sprint and staying clear of accidents.
-- Doubles luge isn't a sport you just stack two guys on a sled.
-- Four man bobsled isn't a sport because two of the guys are just there for ballast.
-- Ice dancing isn't a sport, because, well, DANCING.
-- X isn't a sport because it's all about the technology.
And the last straw...
-- Curling is not a sport. If curling is a sport, then so should billiards. Or so this person said on Facebook.
Now, the distinction between a sport and an Olympic sport is a political distinction. But I have to say that although I've been skeptical of some of the sports added to the Games, I've come around on most of them, including all those X-Games offshoots. I've been more annoyed at those sports that the Olympics have eliminated, like baseball in the summer games.
The idea that anything judged or partially judged isn't a sport I think is more of a dig at the judges than the athletes who have trained for years only to get flattened by the mythical East German judge. And I was accused of trolling by trying to point out that their example of a real sport, football, is also determined by the officials. No, you're wrong -- it's not like the official can decide to award 9 points instead of 6. Really? And judging whether or not a knee is down before the ball breaks the plane CAN'T affect the outcome of a game? At best it's a gray area.
Do judges sometimes get it wrong? Sure. So do officials. So do athletes. It's not like we're talking about a beauty pageant like the Westminster Dog Show as a sport.
And curling has all kinds of strategy, finesse and physical ability. Just because it's not as fast paced as hockey or ice dancing, doesn't make curling less than a sport.
Some people take all the fun out of everything.
Dr. Phil
