What Defines a Sport?

Something that many people debate about is what a sport is. One example would be: should chess be considered a sport? Some define sports as something that requires thinking intensely, or in other words, having a strategy. Some define sports as something that requires intense physical exertion. The question has many people reconsidering their definition of sports.

Currently, the most popular definition of a sport is basically an activity that follows a set of rules involving some form of competition and skill. However, most definitions agree that a sport has three core traits: physical exertion or skill, competition, and a set of rules that participants must follow. By these traits, sports such as soccer, basketball, and track and field are undisputed as sports. They require training, physical and mental ability, coordination, and all have a set of rules. These sports are an important part of the Olympics, and all are extremely popular sports.

However, with the definition of sports changing in recent times, some activities that were not originally considered sports are being debated. For example, chess was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1999. It lacks some qualities that many consider to be key elements of a traditional sport, but it does require complicated strategy, intense competition, a set of rules, and mental endurance.

Another controversial topic is e-sports. Participants of e-sports compete in online tournaments, some with multimillion–dollar prize pools, massive online audiences, and sponsorships from well-known companies and brands. Critics argue that the absence of physical exertion doesn’t make it a real sport. Supporters say that e-sports require fast reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and fast decision making.

The definition of sports shows how different people value physical and mental excellence. It challenges people to rethink the definition of an important aspect of many people’s lives. However, the debate is not merely just for fun. Being recognized as a sport means media recognition and coverage, funding, public legitimacy, and maybe even visa eligibility for recognized competitors. the debate reflects on society’s effort to incorporate more diversity into different aspects of life.