what is your definition of sport?

starlooker (Duc) · #1 12-12-2009, 01:02 PM

With all this talk about Tiger Woods, as a carryover, I did a reassessment of what I considered to be sport.

My prior definition was that it is a spectator activity where the person is under physical exertion for extended periods(for the duration of the activity). Basically anything that causes the person to sweat for extended periods. So I considered triathalons, tennis, football, basketball, and swimming to be sports, just to name a few.

But now my definition of a sport is a spectator activity that requires the person to be under pressure, whether physical OR mental, for extended periods. So now I consider chess to be a sport, whereas I didn't before.

I don't think golf is a sport. Dressing up in designer clothes, crisply ironed, wearing expensive jewellery(Rolex), having a caddy to carry the gear and cover you with an umbrella when it rains, riding around in a golf buggy, making phone calls, watching TV, or doing business between rounds.

By my new definition, golf is not a sport, it's a sedate game. There is no physical or mental exertion for extended periods. Sorry to disappoint the golfers in here who think they are supreme athletes.

What is your definition of sport?

PS - by my definition, if sitting an exam is a spectator activity, it would be a sport. Just kidding.

matt · #2 12-12-2009, 01:13 PM

Well....golf is both a physical and mental exercise performed under pressure...which is watched by sometimes massive crowds either at the course or on TV....so by your definition it qualifies as a sport.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #3 12-12-2009, 01:39 PM

Iron Chef! Now that is a sport...

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #4 12-12-2009, 01:42 PM

Watching customers trying to exit our store via the fixed glass panels.
Great sport!!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #5 12-12-2009, 01:43 PM

LOL watching customers try to sign their eftpos receipts with a pen tethered with really short lengths of elastic. ??
Priceless.

The pens just go pftt out of their hands. Over and over again. It's all good sport until someone takes an eye out. LOL

starlooker (Duc) · #6 12-12-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

Iron Chef! Now that is a sport...

By my definition, Iron Chef is definitely a sport. And a team one too!

DJDD · #7 12-12-2009, 02:33 PM

I have two definitions:

what sport is:
- it has to have some relationship with our primitive past where we needed to throw something, hit something or run away from something to survive

what sport isn't:
- If you don't raise a sweat then it is not a sport.

So golf may just qualify because, although you don't raise a sweat (unless you play in Summer), you do hit something.

motor sport, e.g. F1, is NOT a sport, even though the drivers are fit- it is engineering...

mithrandir (Andrew) · #8 12-12-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Well....golf is both a physical and mental exercise performed under pressure...which is watched by sometimes massive crowds either at the course or on TV....so by your definition it qualifies as a sport.

There is "sport" golf played as competition, "business" golf where you suck up to clients, and "leisure" golf to see if you are still legally sober when you reach the 19th hole, not having destroyed your buggy (some courses demand you use one).

Seeing how far you can throw clubs is part of the game.

matt · #9 12-12-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithrandir

There is "sport" golf played as competition, "business" golf where you suck up to clients, and "leisure" golf to see if you are still legally sober when you reach the 19th hole, not having destroyed your buggy (some courses demand you use one).

Seeing how far you can throw clubs is part of the game.

I'm refering more to golf played at the pro level...or at very high level, competitively.

Octane (Humayun) · #10 12-12-2009, 04:22 PM

Just to bring this section of the forum back to astronomy: astrophotography is a sport. The best sport.

Regards,
Humayun

Starkler (Geoff) · #11 12-12-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

I have two definitions:

what sport is:
- it has to have some relationship with our primitive past where we needed to throw something, hit something or run away from something to survive

what sport isn't:
- If you don't raise a sweat then it is not a sport.

How about flyfishing for trout? In some forms it is visually spotting and hunting individual fish. Knowledge and skill is required to spot, stalk, outwit and successfully capture the quarry, but physical exertion is only moderate.
I say its a sport.

Quote:

motor sport, e.g. F1, is NOT a sport, even though the drivers are fit- it is engineering...

Although assisted by machinery, the element of human skill and endurance is undeniable, in contrast to equestrian events, which appear to be simply a matter of who can afford the best horse

Matt Wastell (Matt) · #12 12-12-2009, 06:45 PM

I mentioned this in a 'Tiger' post - there are only two real sports - hunting and fishing - the rest are just games.

AstralTraveller (David) · #13 12-12-2009, 07:35 PM

I don't what is sport but I know some things that aren't. Firstly, anything involving animals - they weren't asked whether they wanted to participate. Secondly, an activity whereby you are allowed to assault your opponent by striking them in the head.

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #14 12-12-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

motor sport, e.g. F1, is NOT a sport, even though the drivers are fit- it is engineering...

Profligate nonsense man!

You try driving one of those things. Bet you don't make it one lap of Albert Park. The steering is like a Mack truck without the power assist!
Just the acceleration is enough to finish most people.
Now do that for approximately 10 hrs over 2 days at ridiculous speeds where mental acuity is just as important as physical strength.
I've only raced Formula Ford and Minis. I used to lose 1/2 stone over a weekend.
Mind you, I just used to lose as well!

marki · #15 12-12-2009, 09:27 PM

Sport has many meanings e.g. to amuse oneself, to sport a growth, to run around a field playing a game etc. But for me sport must involve a motor of some sort doing all the work or else it's just torture

Mark

Starman73 · #16 12-12-2009, 09:35 PM

Hi Everyone,

A sport is something that makes your heart beat fast. You only have so many times your heart beats, so why waste it on sport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul

Outbackmanyep · #17 12-12-2009, 09:45 PM

Who says that you have to raise a sweat for something to be called a sport?
Physical exertion is part of sport.......

I always have people tell me that tenpin bowling is not a sport, i have played heaps, just because MOST people only do it socially and not competitively doesn't mean that bowling isn't a sport!

What would people say to me if i went round telling them that darts isn't a sport?

On the other hand if you only use physical exertion as a definitive of something "sport-like", is POKER a sport??? Is CHESS a sport???

Darth Wader (Wade) · #18 12-12-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Wastell

I mentioned this in a 'Tiger' post - there are only two real sports - hunting and fishing - the rest are just games.

Provided the hunter eats his kill, I'd agree with you.

DJDD · #19 12-12-2009, 11:24 PM

Outbackmanyep: do you throw anything in darts or bowling? so, they ARE sports.

Waxing_Gibbous: just because it is hard work, or whether or not I can do it, does not make motorsport a sport... now, if they start throwing spears at passing wildlife whilst driving then perhaps motorsport can be counted a sport...

Starkler: Fly fishing...? in fly fishing you are throwing something AND you are hunting... so it is definitely a sport...

mithrandir: golf just qualifies as long as the players start throwing their clubs at passing wildebeast...

so, even though i didn't say that I had thought about my definitions very much they seem to hang together so far...

.

Jen · #20 13-12-2009, 12:21 PM

when i hear the word sport on the TV = change the channel