Useless 'sport'

cj maxx

Watching the winter Olympics, specifically curling. WTF is that taking up tv time. It may be a game but hardly a 'sport '.

Add into that

Golf

Darts

Snooker.

Any other ' sports ' that aren't sports?

ThePentagon

Golf is a sport.

cj maxx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638593#Comment_118638593

No it's not. It's a game. Having 6 other people hitting balls at him while they're swinging would be sport. Not playing a game

AllForIt

I hold individual sports in much higher regard than any team sports.

So there.

Strumms

There are sports that I don’t like, but I can see why other people like them, an appreciable skill, whatever.

but I’ll never understand curling, never, what joy comes from… I dunno, curling

joeguevara

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058233213/useless-sport

Which event in the Winter Olympics would you consider a sport and do you think how good a sport is based on whether it makes good tv or not?

ThePentagon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638609#Comment_118638609

You're wrong but, whatever.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

I'm getting the impression that you feel the difference between a sport and a game is the amount of physical conditioning needed as opposed to mental? Two of the three example sports you listed aren't actually in the Olympics.

But they are called the Olympic "games", not the Olympic sports (although I have no idea as to why "games" such as chess or Monopoly aren't involved)/

I'd throw in Formula One to the mix, though. Sitting in a car is no more of a sport than throwing darts.

Badly Drunk Boy

I'd throw in Formula One to the mix, though. Sitting in a car is no more of a sport than throwing darts.

You've obviously never driven a Formula 1 car at top speed around a racing circuit! Neither have I. I've never even driven a regular car down the N7. But I'd say it's great sport...

maestroamado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058233213/useless-sport

boxing especially girls..

Captain Barnacles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638668#Comment_118638668

Those drivers are incredibly fit, they sustain massive g forces ...and I wouldn't be the biggest fan of any motorsport.

pjohnson

Mentioning F1 is an embarrasing inclusion.

KaneToad

F1 is definitely very physically demanding. But it's not something I have much interest. The quality of the 'equipment' means the competitors are not equally matched.

maestroamado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638983#Comment_118638983

I think moto gp probably one of the most physically demanding sports... i happen to be at an event where a team were testing and its incredible how they do it....

Snooker might not be a 'sport' really.......But I looove it! I could watch it all day 😂

Mr. CooL ICE

Bodybuilding. Walking out on stage and flexing in various poses seems more like a pageant or an exercise in vanity. But the physical and mental effort to get to that stage is on another level compared to something like darts.

So yeah, bodybuilding and formula 1 are the same thing.

artanevilla

I always find people who deride some sports as games have no talent in anything.

ednwireland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638983#Comment_118638983

same as any sport then either your body, equipment isn't evenly matched otherwise no one would ever win

Mike Murdock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639076#Comment_118639076

Bodybuilding could probably be classed more as Performance Art really.

Curling is fun to play. Admittedly I've only played it the once but it was good craic and made me appreciate the skill involved.

You'll never appreciate a curling sweeper until you seem them close up.

martingriff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058233213/useless-sport

What is your definition of a sport

martingriff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638627#Comment_118638627

In fairness it looks a vert strategy based sport where to place the stones how to block. Where to hit the stone and how much speed and sweeping is involved

nj27

Effwun drivers are athletes and it's very physically demanding while requiring precision and concentration. It's probably as demanding as playing a football match.

https://youtu.be/zWWHRm9Q9XQ

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639476#Comment_118639476

The skill is all in your ability to curl it, same as bowls.

If they got the darts treatment they could be huge

sydthebeat

i will admit it, i love watching curling and bowls.

there is immense skill involved at the highest levels

DoctorEdgeWild

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639076#Comment_118639076

There was a very long debate on this in the fitness forum a couple of years ago that's worth a read. It all depends on your definition of a sport, for mine, competitive Bodybuilding most definitely is a sport.

For the record, a definition I would think is accurate is - An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others with a scoring/judging/marking system.

I accept that others might have different definition of course but competitive bodybuilding would be covered by the one above.

AckwelFoley

Darts.

This will never be a sport in my eyes. Any activity that you can be 1 burger away from a triple bypass and still be top of the game isn't a sport.

Are they good at what they do, sure and lots of people enjoy it, but sport.. Nope

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639502#Comment_118639502

The fitness levels of these guys is insane

The misconceptions are people think they're driving a car around a track

recyclops

I think the definition should be physical exertion or skill. Anyone who says bowls/ curling etc is not a sport is ignorant to the level of skill involved which is fine as its not marketed to them the way other sports are.

It is all down to the marketing which F1 is really noticing now and its allowing its growth.

To me there is no difference in skill to when you compare Ronaldos freekick vs Portsmouth and this bowls shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ohG2I0NA8 ( I cant figure out how to embed :()

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638938#Comment_118638938

I'm not sying they aren't fit, and astonauts also sustain g forces - why isn't that a sport? - but this is why I rasied the question: is physical fitness the decided? If so, then why not aerobics? Plenty of people operate very heavy machinery as part of their job, why aren't they in sports?

I'm just asking: what are the criteria for something to be a "sport"?

Mr. CooL ICE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639578#Comment_118639578

Would you apply that same logic to snooker?

DoctorEdgeWild

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639611#Comment_118639611

An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others with a scoring/judging/marking system.

Is what I'd go for I think. Seems to cover everything?

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639617#Comment_118639617

Yes. But, in fairness it's a far more skillful game

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058233213/useless-sport

You are wrong, as are the hundreds who've made this exact thread previously.

Sport: Definition OED

"an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment."

memorystick

I like the chainsaw games. Not a fan of golf or F1. Bodybuilding and sumo are quite similar.

Mr. CooL ICE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639650#Comment_118639650

Why would the level of involved skill determine if something should be a sport or not?

Can't say I'd agree that snooker or pool far more skillful than darts. I've played a good bit of pool and only a little snooker, but at least I can hit the balls. Any time I've tried playing darts, I've been a danger to people sitting nearby.

Like it or not, it has evolved from something people enjoy into something large, with an agreed upon ruleset and governing bodies which host huge competitions. And although the physical exertion is minimal, it is there. And there is a high level of skill involved. If there wasn't a high level of skill involved, then it wouldn't be competitive.

KaneToad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639105#Comment_118639105

I disagree. The equipment in F1, separate to the driver, plays too much of a part for it to interest me. I feel the same way about horse racing...

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639695#Comment_118639695

I don't disagree, I wouldn't call snooker any more of a sport than I would darts, but I just made the comment it was more skillful. I just find with snooker there's more tactic involved, there's one thing being able to pot a ball and leave the white ball ready for you next shot but these guys are thinking shots ahead often. Still no more a sport than darts but I'm biased as I prefer snooker

lertsnim

I do enjoy curling.

McGinniesta

I don't think anyone can say that these two are not sports.

However, the only two sports that I just cannpt get into are Rugby and Tennis.

To me, Rugby is the most boring game that was ever invented. I find it to be so mindless that I just can't watch it.

Tennis is not much better. It should be a leg of the world strongest man contest and is little more than power lifting with a racket and ball.

The mad fascination with football and the likes these days seems to be a consequence of the last couple of generations not really growing up I reckon..

When I see an adult wearing a football jersey of his favourite team I despair for humanity a bit tbh..

I'm reminded of what the guy who started the Premier league said..they're the heroes for the zeros..

McGinniesta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639578#Comment_118639578

To be fair to the modern professional darts player, we're not looking at Jocky Wilson anymore. The standard of top level players at the moment is really good. And that stereotype hasn't been appropriate for decades.

To be fair, the real conversation is whether it is a game or a sport and even that is little more that a matter of semantics.

The same with the likes of snooker. We're not looking at pissheads like Alex Higgins anymore. Again the standard of top level snooker is remarkable compared what it was like 30 years ago and the fact that some people out there still think that the top level players are all like Bill Werbeniuk only highlight their own ignorance.

DoctorEdgeWild

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639895#Comment_118639895

It's very possible to be 'grown up' and enjoy football. I regularly attend matches and always enjoy, even though my local team is West Brom! Choice of clothing seems an odd criteria by which to despair for humanity, there's plenty of other great reasons to despair for humanity that don't involve polyester. 😉

maestroamado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639443#Comment_118639443

its a girls game...

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639634#Comment_118639634

True, but then again: why not people who operate heavy machinery as part of their job? Why not foklift-driving obstacle courses? I mean, we have ploughing championships and Strongman competitions - why not have these in the olympics? Someone mentioned chainsaws - why not lumberkjacking?

McGinniesta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639895#Comment_118639895

Would you apply that logic to pretty ever other team sport where this happens?

Adults who wear Ireland Rugby Shirts, GAA Shirts, Rugby League, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and the rest of pretty every majpr team sport.

DoctorEdgeWild

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639964#Comment_118639964

No legitimate marking/scoring system would seem to rule the operating of heavy machinery out? (which is what I do for a living funnily enough!)

But if someone were to organise a championship with judges/scoring and an agreed set of rules, then absolutely operating heavy machinery could be turned into a sport.

As for the Olympics question, it's their games so they can choose what sports they want in and what they want out. Not every sport is in the Olympics, it would last for ages if they had to include everything.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639983#Comment_118639983

Yes..

Although I'd forgive people for doing it if they were going to a match..

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639650#Comment_118639650

They are all sports because of the competitive angle.

Snooker is a superb sport where at the top level it's all about mental toughness.

McGinniesta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118640006#Comment_118640006

OK, just to be clear, you believe that Adults that wear sports jersey for most of the major team sports haven't grown up? Is that your point but it's cools if they are going to a game?

DavyD_83

It's bowls on ice. I've always kinda liked it.

For context : I essentially watch no sport at all, but have in the past spent a morning or 2, when I should have been in college, watching curling.