19-08-2004 10:26									#121
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quote: Only those ignorant about the nature of sports would claim that it is. See how easy it is to make assertions?

But I'm not ignorant about the nature of sports. I've quoted the definition. So yes, it is easy to make assertions, but I have facts behind mine, unlike you.

	19-08-2004 10:26									#122
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quote: Originally posted by Boshko So a cross country ski course where the finish line is at a slightly lower elevation than the start wouldn't qualify but one where they are at the same elevation would (ie there'd be a bit of gravity in the first one)? That's just stupid.

Actually, cross country races at the Olympic level are most definitely mandated to occur over a course with no more than X metres drop. Otherwise world records would be meaningless.

Strike 1

	19-08-2004 10:27									#123
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui Further: Sport: quote: Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sport

Playing the violin is a sport?

	19-08-2004 10:27									#124
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quote: gymnastics is fairly sportish (in parts)

Ever try to do an Iron cross?

I have, and it's hard. Gymnastics is definitely a sport, but the problem is how to measure and compare gymnasts.

	19-08-2004 10:27									#125
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Gymnastics is very athletic. It is not a sport. There is far too much power to the judges.

	19-08-2004 10:28									#126
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quote: often engaged in competitively.

How do you compete with Violins?

	19-08-2004 10:29									#127
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I've been in a violin competition before, Ben.

You are judged based on your performance and prizes are awarded.

	19-08-2004 10:30									#128
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quote: Playing the violin is a sport?

Often engaged in competitively? And I'd hesistate to call it 'physical activity'. More like artistic activity. Physical activity means there is some great physical excertion involved in the event. And violining is governed by a set of rules? So no one is allowed to play it other than the defined rules?

Sorry, try again.

	19-08-2004 10:30									#129
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quote: There is far too much power to the judges.

Well, not all routines are the same, and therein lies the problem.

Do you give higher marks for a flawless, yet simple program, or for a faulty, yet extremely difficult program?

	19-08-2004 10:31									#130
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quote: I've been in a violin competition before, Ben.

quote: often engaged in competitively

OFTEN? I'd imagine you'd much more play it non-competitively than competitively.

	19-08-2004 10:32									#131
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quote: I've been in a violin competition before, Ben. You are judged based on your performance and prizes are awarded.

Well, I haven't.

How do they distinguish the competitors, and under what conditions do they compete?

	19-08-2004 10:33									#132
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui quote: Playing the violin is a sport? Often engaged in competitively?

See above. I've been in violin competitions. Most good players have.

quote: And I'd hesistate to call it 'physical activity'. More like artistic activity.

Try playing for an hour straight and tell me how your hands feel. Gymnastics is part artistic as well.

quote: And violining is governed by a set of rules? So no one is allowed to play it other than the defined rules?

Classical violin is not played according to rules? I must have wasted 11 years of my life learning where all the notes were, how to bow properly, how to read music, how to put proper expression in the proper place etc.

Sorry, try again.

	19-08-2004 10:35									#133
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quote: Originally posted by Ben Kenobi Well, I haven't. How do they distinguish the competitors, and under what conditions do they compete?

How many years did you play?

I competed in the under 16 montreal area competition and came 1st at least once, IIRC (when 14). My memory is fuzzy though. Might only have gotten 2nd. Started when I was 5. 1 hour a day for 11 years.

	19-08-2004 10:36									#134
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quote: Try playing for an hour straight and tell me how your hands feel.

But is it 'A' physical activity? It is mostly physical?

quote: Gymnastics is part artistic as well.

But mostly physical.

quote: Classical violin is not played according to rules? I must have wasted 11 years of my life learning where all the notes were, how to bow properly, how to read music, how to put proper expression in the proper place etc.

So you can't do away from it? You can't create new styles which do not follow the stated rules? Does every style have to wait until the governing body say it is ok to do it? I'm sorry, I guess violinists are still back in the 11th century and haven't moved since then.

Sorry, try again.

	19-08-2004 10:36									#135
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui quote: I've been in a violin competition before, Ben. quote: often engaged in competitively OFTEN? I'd imagine you'd much more play it non-competitively than competitively.

And gymnastics is practiced more than competed in.

A good (professional) player will engage in at least a few competitions a year.

	19-08-2004 10:38									#136
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quote: And gymnastics is practiced more than competed in.

Practice is simply gearing up for a competition in gymnastics. It is done for competition.

quote: A good (professional) player will engage in at least a few competitions a year.

And a good professional player will most likely play with a philharmonic many more times a year and it won't be to prepare for his few competitions.

	19-08-2004 10:41									#137
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui quote: Try playing for an hour straight and tell me how your hands feel. But is it 'A' physical activity? It is mostly physical?

Yes. Feeling might count for 25%. Technique is your bread and butter. I am a very respectable player (could easily have gone on to play one of the backbench violins in an orchestra). Compared to me, however, a world-class concertmaster can do every single thing better than I can. His notes will be perfect. Mine will be slightly off (good enough for an untrained ear not to hear, though). His bowing will make his notes sharper and cleaner than mine ever will. The difference is between night and day. Artistry is icing on the cake.

	19-08-2004 11:48									#138
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It's a fiddle damn it

	19-08-2004 11:53									#139
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There are many people who compete in beer chugging , practice beer chugging and in many places extensive rules govern it. So why isn't beer chugging an olympic sport yet? If they want true amatures than they need to let beer chugging in.

	19-08-2004 12:05									#140
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Ballooning and dart should be added, if at all possible held simultaneously in the same venue, with bright coloured balloons and really big darts.

	19-08-2004 12:30									#141
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Er, I think you'll find that judging in Gymnastics is a very precise thing, relying on a system of additions (above the base 8.3 difficulty requirement, with additional D, E and Super-E excercises bringing up the base difficulty to a maximum of 10.0) and reductions (Step outside the mat in the floor excercise = 0.1 reduction, etc.) and resulting in very closely matched scores from all the judges. It is considerably less subjective than boxing, for instance.

	19-08-2004 12:40									#142
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quote: Originally posted by Sprayber There are many people who compete in beer chugging , practice beer chugging and in many places extensive rules govern it. So why isn't beer chugging an olympic sport yet? If they want true amatures than they need to let beer chugging in.

Damn straight! The bronze goes to the third from last guy to fall over passed out. The silver goes to the second from last guy to fall over passed out. You award the gold when the last real man drinking says he's had enough, or falls over passed out.

	19-08-2004 13:10									#143
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Yachting.

Boats go on the water. They sail around for a bit and may (or may not) actually cross a finishing line. Then they all retire to a closed room to which no cameras are admitted to decide who has won according to some sort of Illuminati codes. Or flipping a coin.

	19-08-2004 13:12									#144
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quote: Originally posted by Q Cubed quote: Dodge Ball must be included or the entire games are a sham. i watch it all the time on the Ocho.

	19-08-2004 13:13									#145
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quote: Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat Hey, with Amanda Beard, Kaitlin Sandeno or Natalie Coughlin, who needs to see how well they swim?

My favorite shot of the female swimmers is right after they dive in and do that little underwater wiggle to maximize the dive. Yum.

	19-08-2004 13:15									#146
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quote: Originally posted by Alexander's Horse fencing would be better if people were actually wounded or killed.

But I think rythmic gymnastics and trampoline would improve even more under the same conditions.

	19-08-2004 15:19									#148
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quote: Originally posted by Buck Birdseed Er, I think you'll find that judging in Gymnastics is a very precise thing, relying on a system of additions (above the base 8.3 difficulty requirement, with additional D, E and Super-E excercises bringing up the base difficulty to a maximum of 10.0) and reductions (Step outside the mat in the floor excercise = 0.1 reduction, etc.) and resulting in very closely matched scores from all the judges. It is considerably less subjective than boxing, for instance.

Bullshit. It's based on how high a bid your country makes in your favour.

	19-08-2004 16:12									#149
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You're thinking of Figure Skating.

	21-08-2004 17:52									#150
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sailing is my only chance of getting to the Olympics