SWA #19

The Definition of Sport 

Writer David Andriesen discusses an issue that has questioned people of all ages for years...."What Defines a Sport?" However, Andrieson takes a very different stance than from what the reader would expect. When I first read the title of his piece, I expected a firm set of supported guidelines that would apply to all my further sport versus no sport questions in the future. I was very surprised by the end of the article. Andrieson in a sense fools his audience. He suggests what his particular opinion is on what should be considered a sport. He cites that it a reputable sport should include a ball or ball like object, can include a race as long as it measures human power, competition under unified conditions, and an objective scoring system with recognize-able rules. 

Where Andrieson surprised me as a writer was in his conclusion. Instead of making a firm stance, he explains his personal position. He believes that much like art, the question of the legitimacy of a sport is subjective to the individual. He leaves it up for the readers to decide for themselves.  

BUT, leaving the question of whether or not an activity is a sport can not always be left up to each individual person. In cases of international contests of global or societal importance, the question should be answered. The most famous and relate-able example of this is the event that occupies the global theater every four years: The Olympics. Sports are a source of national pride in many nations. The question of whether or not supposed athletes should be able to showcase their abilities to the world or not is a question that needs to be answered. 

I have my own individual beliefs of what should be a sport, like what Andrieson said. I believe there are three different kinds of activities: a sport, a game, and a contest. My simple guidelines to a sport are if sweat is exerted from the extent of the physical effort and if it is measured by points or place, it is a sport. Therefore, under my own guidelines, I would not consider poker a sport, but a cognitive game. No physical effort or athleticism is being exerted, it is simply a mind game, much like checkers or hang man. I do not believe synchronized swimming is a sport either. Although athleticism is required, it is more of an art. Music plays and swimmers smile and showcase different outfits, giving off a sort of show. Additionally, subjective judges score each act. Therefore, I believe this is a contest, similar in some ways to a beauty pageant, which is certainly not a sport.