I’ve always wondered exactly what constitutes a sport.  Is it any physical activity?  Any physical activity that involves copious amounts of sweat?  Physical activities with corporate sponsors?

I have thought long and hard about this issue and while I still don’t have a clear answer, I’ve realized that the typical is-bowling-a-real-sport-or-not issue doesn’t truly bother me. What really riles me up is the judging component that exists in some “sports.”

I have serious reservations about any sport in which scored judging is the way the winner is chosen. 

I’m fine with referees-while they can certainly influence the outcome of a game, they are officially there only to rule on controversial or debatable calls.  A volleyball game can be played and a winner determined without a referee ever “judging” anything subjective.

However, it’s a very different picture when we look at ice-skating or gymnastics.  They are officially and popularly considered sports, require amazing physical ability and take years of practice, but I don’t know if I would call them real sports simply because of the ridiculous judging component is is completely subjective and sometimes seemingly arbitrary.

In the majority of sports, the goals are very clear and concrete.  The fastest runner wins the race.  The ball crosses the line and is in (or out as the case may be).  The highest vault or the longest jump accumulates the most points. It is obvious to all competitors and viewers what is required to win.

But when I look at gymnastics, my mind starts to boggle at how a winner is determined.  A panel is selected to see who twirls the best?  Or even if two skaters successfully complete a jump and they are both technically sound, someone will be graded higher because of the artistic element? 

I do not understand in any way, shape or form what artistry is doing as a scorable factor in a competitive sport. 

Of course I believe the human body and its movements can be beautiful and admired, but I don’t think artistic merit should be a component into any sport.  Otherwise, we should make ballet a sport!

To clarify, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the physical demands of activities like ice-skating, gymnastics and other such “sports” that involve judging (and usually pretty costumes, which is a whole other topic). But unless someone can give me a convincing argument for why they are considered sports, but ballet is not, I will continue to debate their status. 

With the current allowance of graded physical artistry that is allowed in competitive sports, perhaps we should also consider musicians. I should start lobbying for a marching band showdown in the next Olympics!