Figure skating is NOT a sport.

[CurtisEdmonds]

Discuss.

[taurusmoon]

I just so happen to have gone skating yesterday for the first time in a number of years.

Every fiber of my being hurts today. And that's from doing laps. Nothing fancy -- like stopping for instance.

I don't care how fluffy it is, figure skating is a sport. It must be, it uses -- ouch -- leg muscles.

Sara
Who, just to set the record straight, wears hockey skates

[frazzledspice]

Figure skating requires balance, coordination, artistry, stamina. Just because it's beautiful to watch doesn't mean it's not a sport.

What's more, events like figure skating and gymnastics are the among the hottest Olympic tickets. If they didn't have these crowd pleasers, the Olympics wouldn't be as heavily attended or covered on TV, and wouldn't attract the funds they do today.

Then those guys that go skiing through the woods shooting at targets (what do you call that again?) wouldn't get as much recognition of their efforts.

When I watch the Olympics, figure skating, gymnastics, diving, etc. are about the only things I watch (and there are many others like me, I'm sure.)

[poseidon]

Then those guys that go skiing through the woods shooting at targets (what do you call that again?) wouldn't get as much recognition of their efforts.

It's called the biathalon. I'm surprised there isn't a concerted effort to remove that event from the Olympics since it involves evil guns.

Ice skating is definitely a sport. So is competitive ballroom dancing (which I find myself entranced by whenever I see it on TV). I happen to hate watching figure skating and speed skating, but still, I would have to admit that they are sports nonetheless.

Jeff

[kurt_messick]

I think figure skating and other such things are a sport.

Synchronised swimming, now, that is another matter.

I always wanted to be in the Olympics, with my new sport -- Individual Synchronised Swimming.

[poseidon]

I think they should bring pro-wrestling in as an Olympic sport. They should also include Monster Truck and lawnmower racing.

[kuuleimomi]

weird things you Americans dare to doubt. Of course it's all sports.

A Russian

[quasar]

Originally posted by kurt_messick
Synchronised swimming, now, that is another matter.

You've obviously never done it. It may look easy, but these folks are treading water, often with their hands, for several minutes while jumpping, holding their breath, dancing, and trying to make it look effortless - all in complete synchrionization.

I've done a little synchronized swimming and all I can say is if you thought your legs hurt from skating Sara, don't try this!

Janice

[taurusmoon]

Originally posted by quasar

I've done a little synchronized swimming and all I can say is if you thought your legs hurt from skating Sara, don't try this!

Janice

I wouldn't even dream of it. I can't swim.

Sara
Who doesn't feel a sense of loss because she can't wear a bathing suit either.

[kurt_messick]

Reminds me of a line from Jeffrey -- '...and I thought, well, if all these people can applaud just because their kids can stand on their heads in the deep end...'



Where is Esther Williams when you need her...

[MrsNormanMaine[$]]

On a pound per pound basis, the best conditioned athletes in the world are male ballet dancers and male pairs figure skaters. The amount of strength needed to accomplish their moves is incredible.

Therefore, I'd call it a sport. It's just that wierd brand of American machismo that brands such things effeminate...

MNM

[CurtisEdmonds]

1. I am *not* saying that figure skating does not demand athleticism. Many things that demand athleticism are not sports.

2. Just because a lot of people like figure skating does not make it a sport.

3. That "weird brand of American machismo" exists, sure, but it's irrelevant to this discussion. And it doesn't explain why they wear those outfits.

My points:

1. Any activity where "artistic merit" is a consideration should not be considered a sport.

2. Any activity with a designated "kiss and cry area" is not a sport. "There's no crying in baseball" applies here.

3. Any activity that generates this much sob stories and personality profiles in proportion to its length is not a sport.

Discuss.

[slick4591[$]]

2. Any activity with a designated "kiss and cry area" is not a sport. "There's no crying in baseball" applies here.

Don't tell them little T-Ballers this, Curtis. It'll make 'em cry all over again. So, are you're saying that a real sport has to have either a penalty box or sideline for the players to go to so they can show their emotions by cursing, hitting things or throwing junk around in order to qualify as a sport?

[conradd]

Originally posted by slick4591
So, are you're saying that a real sport has to have either a penalty box or sideline for the players to go to so they can show their emotions by cursing, hitting things or throwing junk around in order to qualify as a sport?

If so, Tonya Harding qualifies it as a sport all by herself.

Deb

[rich2003dm]

I always thought of sport as hitting something or someone while standing on dirt or grass, but this is how Merriam-Webster defines sport:

" a source of diversion : RECREATION b : sexual play c (1) : physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2) : a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in"

I guess if sex qualifies, figure skating qualifies.

(Incidentally, I'm glad I looked this up. Appears I'm still an occasional sportsman...very occasionally...and for very brief periods.)

Rich

[CurtisEdmonds]

I guess if sex qualifies, figure skating qualifies.

I think that would give new meaning to the term "kiss and cry area".

There are, of course, other jokes, and I am sure that others will make them.

[Master_Griffin]

:happy:


Glad to hear that my suspicions are confirmed by the prestigious Merriam-Webster...

SEX IS A SPORT!

SEX BURNS CALORIES!

IT'S WHY I'M SO FIT!

I love the dictionary! :thumbs:


Oh...yeah, figure skating is a sport.


- Tim