Is track really a sport ??

True, there is no real team aspect. If my shot putter teammate has a bad attempt, it has zero impact on my performance in the 5,000 meters.

That doesn't keep it from being a sport. It's a contest of physical ability.

And you're a troll.

A "troll" ?

It's exercise

NewToIt98 wrote:

Well is it? There is zero team work, no skill, and no physical contact.

What is the definition of a 'sport'?

Here are a few popular 'sports' which don't fit your criteria:

Golf - no physical contact, no team work

Wrestling - no team work

Boxing - no team work

Swimming - no team work and no physical contact

Baseball - no physical contact

Gymnastics - no team work, no physical contact

Volleyball - no physical contact

It seems as though the only real sports as defined by you are Basketball, Football, and Soccer. Even then, physical contact in Basketball and Soccer is as illegal as in T&F.

Also, I disagree with your contention that Track requires no skill, as there is strategy aplenty in the distance events, and hurdles, jumps, and throws are very skill/technique based events.

Well this week I have a kid that dropped off the team making it nearly impossible to win over the next two team we face. The team aspect feels pretty real to me and the rest of the team right now.

No skill, sure, whatever you say. It must be easy to coach the jump and throw events.

No physical contact in tennis, skiing, volleyball, swimming etc.. I guess these are not sports.

NewToIt98 wrote:

Well is it? There is zero team work, no skill, and no physical contact.

No it is not a mere "sport" why would you demean the pursuit of running to excellence. Its a life style, its a science, its a competition, its psychological, it nutrition, but not a mere sport.

Thanks for agreeing with me. I swear some people just don't understand my logic.

Good I thought I was the only win who thought this way. I'm glad you were able to explain my view on this topic.

NewToIt98 wrote:

Good I thought I was the only win who thought this way. I'm glad you were able to explain my view on this topic.

Won*

No skill? You can't even run to the pantry to trap your Pepsi and twinkies

Get*

A sport is a zero-sum competition (Test 1) with an athletic component (Test 2) that has direct (e.g. punhcing each other) or directly indirect (e.g. upon an object they both use, like a ball) physical interaction between competitors(Test 3).

Golf - Fails Test 1 & 3.

Track - Fails Test 1 & 3

Try and break my definition or come up with one of yours and I guarantee I can make a stupid "sport" using your definition.

I say yes it is, because there is athletic ability and mindful ability like when to kick, stepping infront of someone so they can't cut you off, etc.

plog wrote:

A sport is a zero-sum competition (Test 1) with an athletic component (Test 2) that has direct (e.g. punhcing each other) or directly indirect (e.g. upon an object they both use, like a ball) physical interaction between competitors(Test 3).

Golf - Fails Test 1 & 3.

Track - Fails Test 1 & 3

Try and break my definition or come up with one of yours and I guarantee I can make a stupid "sport" using your definition.

Track, Swimming, Wrestling are sport.

Football, Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Golf, Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, Bowling are games.

Not sure.Is road really a sport??

NewToIt98 wrote:

Well is it? There is zero team work, no skill, and no physical contact.

is it really a sport?

One position could be that it is not really a sport unless it offers the participants the chance to acquire some long-term, irreversible brain damage.

On the other hand, if it is not really a sport, should anyone regulate PED? Do they do that in billiards or ballroom dancing?

But since you ask whether track meets the criteria for being a sport, what is your criteria? How do you define a sport?

plog wrote:

A sport is a zero-sum competition (Test 1) with an athletic component (Test 2) that has direct (e.g. punhcing each other) or directly indirect (e.g. upon an object they both use, like a ball) physical interaction between competitors(Test 3).

Golf - Fails Test 1 & 3.

Track - Fails Test 1 & 3

Try and break my definition or come up with one of yours and I guarantee I can make a stupid "sport" using your definition.

How is track not a zero sum competition?

If someone wins then everyone else loses. That's zero sum. It doesn't have to mean points scored.

There's no teamwork in a relay?

I certainly have my share of prejudices when judging whether or not a sport is, well, a sport. For example, I personally don't consider golf to be a sport any more than I do billiards or tiddlywinks.

Nevertheless, I have come to the conclusion that if ESPN considers "Spelling Bee" and "Poker" to be worthy of air time on a sports network, then absolutely ANYTHING can be justified as a so-called sport...

Grocery shopping? Sport. Changing the oil in your car? Sport. Clipping toenails? Sport. Rubbing one out? Certainly a sport.