We have all had the discussion about what is really a sport and what is not. I am positive that whenever figure skating comes on the television there is at least one person in the room who mentions how it is not a "real" sport. The definition of a sport is usually so vague that something like ballroom dancing ends up as an Olympic event. Obviously there are some people who consider ballroom dancing a sport but I will guess they are in the minority and that most sports fans inherently know that ballroom dancing is not a "real" sport. There has to be a way to distinguish a sport from an activity. In my classification of what is and is not a sport, there is a difference between a sport and a race, game, fight or match even though it may not be initially clear. I just think there are some things that are better classified as a game (foosball) than a sport.
Note: I admittedly realize that most people will not agree with me 100% and I take nothing away from competitors such as boxers, swimmers or wrestlers who are physically more fit than probably all NFL linebackers but in my definition of a sport, their activity falls short.
The Criteria
1. A physical activity that require athletes (i.e. there must be athleticism involved)
Eating contests, chess and Jenga require skill but I will argue that you do not have to be an athlete to participate in these competitions or games. My sports do not have many performers who are vastly overweight and out of shape other than the odd baseball player... I am looking at you El Guapo (Rich Garces). (I also realize the definition of an athlete also comes into question here but that is another can of worms)
2. No voting/judging
Of course referees exist in football and basketball and sometimes it does seem like they influence the outcomes of games more than they should but the referees in these sports differ from the judges in other competitions such as gymnastics and figure skating in that football referees should only be there to enforce the rules whereas figure skating relies on subjective opinion way too much for my liking.
3. Athlete does the majority of the work
It follows that car racing and rifle shooting are eliminated by this criterion whereas running and archery are not.
4. Offensive and defensive strategies
There has to be continuously changing strategies between the two sides. Now some may argue that the "Steve Nash era" Phoenix Suns only have half of this equation but seriously, I want my sport to require some brains to go with the brawn. This criterion eliminates a lot of track and field events as well as dancing... sadly.
Even with my four criterion there are activities that I struggle with (for example, table tennis) but at least this is a start. Here are examples of what passes for a sport and what does not (and a possible reason why).
Sport
Basketball
Football
Baseball
Hockey
Soccer
Lacrosse
Not a sport
Auto racing (3, race)
Chess (1, game)
Swimming (4, race)
Boxing (2, fight)
Golf (1, match)
