What qualifies as an Olympic sport?
So, the Olympics is a big thing at the moment. I don't actually watch the Olympics -- but The Lady watches the evening news, and they tend to report the highlights of the day's Olympics activities.Apparently, the Australian team did well at horse-jumping, or some-such.
O.k., now -- so, riding horses is an Olympic event. If that's the case, then shouldn't auto racing also be an Olympic event? I mean, both involve "steering" something else. (And you can't say that auto racing can't count, because it's a person controlling a machine -- because cycling involves controlling a machine -- and so do the riflery target shooting events.)
And, weight lifting is an Olympic event. Fine. But then, shouldn't bench pressing be one, too? And lat pull-downs (pictured)? That is, instead of the winner is the one that can lift the most weight up, it's the person who can pull the most weight down. Why not?
And, since the notion of "athletics" includes the skilled interaction of humans and mechanical devices (compound bows in archery; target shooting with pistols and rifles) -- why not include video games? Video games take physical skill, and the player is still interacting with a mechanical device. Is there a special criteria where an athletic event has to involve the physical world?
Finally: I'm a bit unconvinced that rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, and -- I just heard about this -- synchronized diving are Olympic sports. Shouldn't these be art forms -- not sports?
And -- o.k. -- if they are sports (because they involve precision, physical skill, and the like), then shouldn't ballet be an Olympic sport as well? I mean, except for a few hundred years of tradition as being an "art", what's the specific distinction that makes rhythmic gymnastics a "sport", and ballet an "art"?
Both are dancing. To music.
--GG
posted by Gye Greene @ 10:44 PM
9 Comments:
It's all about tradition. Which means that it doesn't necessarily make sense.
Slag: Ah, yes -- social construction of reality. :)
G: "Why did you have to pick tow of my favorite things?"
Well, I toyed with brown paper packages, tied up with string... :)
Motorized: OK, I can dig it.
Synch diving: I'm not saying that it's not a demonstration of great skill, nifty to watch, and etc. I'm just saying it ain't a SPORT -- it's an art form. Done over water. From a great height.
Addendum: How about caber tossing (from Highland games: basically, throwing a big log)
--GG
>Wouldn't caber tossing be the same
> as javelin?
Kinda. But javelins are pokey -- whereas cabers will shquish ya. (They're' about 10 ft. long -- SERIOUSLY huge!!! Like throwing half a telephone pole...)
> Ok - so if synch diving is out
> then all of gymnastics would be
> out and the rest of diving too...
Yeah, that's fair. Again: I like the gymnastics (it's like Elektra and Daredevil!!!). But is it a "sport"?
> ps not a big fan of girls in
> white dresses with blue satin
> sashes...could have gone with
> those...
Ooh. So true.
But that would've required a Google search for lyrics. Feeling a little too wooglely, to go and do all the Googlely...
"Brown paper pkgs..." was all that came to mind. :)
--GG
here are some ideas for olympic events as well, that are more inclusive of parents of young children: speed diaper change (and synchronized for parents of multiples (i think you and the Lady should attempt London 2012, if you can get the boys to not potty train until after)), biking with a kiddie trailer (start values higher for parents with older, heavier kids, or ones that just wont sit still).
also, whats with trampoline as a sport. and did you see that open water swim event? if not, you HAVE to look it up. very interenting.
Timid V: As a new Aussie, open water swimming scares me. Sharks. :)
--GG
I used to want to create an Urban Olympics event. One in summer and one in winter. In summer, an example of an event might be the 8-Block Meter Plug (who can plug the meter the fastest when coming from 8 blocks away?), whereas in winter, an example of an event might be the Mitten Meter Plug (who can plug the meter the fastest when wearing their winter mittens?). I even had personal ones that would involve an ipod or cellphone. I'm all about the pragmatism that sports, in general, seem to lack.
Urban Olympics: I'm with it. :)
-GG
Rhythmic gymnastics wise, there's a big difference between that and ballet. Plain and simple, in gymnastics you compete and in ballet you perform. Therefore, ballet is an art form and gymnastics is a sport. Besides, artistic gymnastics floor routines are to music too.
Also, if consider rhythmic gymnastics "dancing" - it's not. Yes, it has some balletic/dance movements. It also involves throwing apparatus in the air during jumps, performing several tricks underneath and then catching it in another movement. Plus, pulling your leg up behind your head and into an almost contortionist pose while turning (like a more extreme version of some figure skating turns almost) should count for something. If you take out rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating ought to go to.
Funny post overall though and entertaining to read. :)
Hi! I love it when my old posts get extra mileage! :)
Good points. My only counter point is that there are competitions for ballroom dancing, breakdancing, etc. (Although, not to my knowledge, for ballet. But that's just an organizational issue: no one's started up a competitive ballet league yet!)
Conversely, in Japan, there are some ''sports'' that have become ''arts'' (e.g. kyu-do -- archery). It's all about the shape and movement: your accuracy in hitting the target are almost secondary.
But, yeah -- you make make some good points.
--GG
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