From Webster's dictionary
Sport
Function: noun
a : a source of diversion : RECREATION
b (1): physical activity engaged in for pleasure
(2): a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in
Function: noun
a : a source of diversion : RECREATION
b (1): physical activity engaged in for pleasure
(2): a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in
From the Encyclopedia Britannica:
Recreational or competitive activities that involve a degree of physical strength or skill. At one time, sports were commonly considered to include only the outdoor recreational pastimes, such as fishing, shooting, and hunting, as opposed to games, which were regarded as organized athletic contests played by teams or individuals according to prescribed rules.
Yes, once upon a time hunting was a sport and running a hundred yard race was a mere "game". The Greek Olympic "Games" changed that. Remember that even today you will hear the term "Olympic Games" as often as you hear "Olympic Sports."
The distinction between sport and game in our language is very, very blurry, to the degree that any competitive game can be considered a sport, and any sport can be considered a "game". The key distinction in these terms lies upon one word: competition. The soul behind all sports is passion and competition, whether it be with your self, or your fellow peers.
What are anyway the current Olympic recognized sports you may ask?
» Recognized Olympic Sports
Notice on the list is a card game, Bridge, and a board game, none other but one of my favorites, Chess. Even Billiards is featured as a recognized Olympic sport. During the last Olympics Games some of them were broadcasted online. How long before we invert the words a little and we can say Online Games will be part of the Olympics?
Many online News sites are already starting to move out Online Game News from the economy or the entertainment section into the Sport section. Recently the Philippine government decided to give online games the "sports" status.The recognition by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) means that members of the delegation will be accorded the same support as regular athletes who are sent for competitions abroad» Philippine PSC support
My questions are:
Is considering Starcraft as a sport such a far strech idea? How long before we see online games as a recognized Olympic sport?
Call me crazy but I have reviewed the rules and the method on how any particular sport or competitive game ends up being recognized as an Olympic sport. Guess what? All it takes is numbers and organization. WCG is already living proof of this. It is really not too far fetched, in fact, it is just around the corner.
So next time they ask you what your favorite sport is, give them the one and only answer of a true fan (or should I say "sportsman".) Say it loud with no shame:
Starcraft.
