Redefining The Meaning of Sports
What can we consider a sport? There are varying definitions of what constitutes a “sport.” From football, to soccer, to tennis, and gymnastics, there is a wide variety of types of competitive pastimes. Sports are defined as physical activities requiring skill, athletic ability, and an element of competition.
One of the most debated activities is chess. Dating back almost 1,500 years, chess fits into the definition of “sport,” but do we consider it one? Like all sports, chess has a defined set of rules and regulations. All international chess competitions are regulated by the International Chess Federation and even the International Olympic Committee considers it to be a sport. Furthermore, chess definitely requires skill. It isn’t just a game of chance, chess players spend years perfecting their craft. Though they may not practice to best the track or a goal, only with extreme focus and dedication can chess players outperform their opponent. Additionally, chess has progressive levels of competition. International tournaments are considered the pinnacle of the competitive chess world, where some of the strongest players in the field compete. Chess is outside of what society conventionally considers to be a “sport,” but nonetheless fits its definition.
Chess isn’t the only activity that’s pushing the boundaries of sports. The youth-centered activity of skateboarding, also practiced outside of the conventional sports arena, has recently joined the list of Olympic sports. There is a new movement for representation of unconventional sports in the Olympics.
Categorizing activities as “sports” based on only three factors (skill, use of athletic ability, and competition) is quite restrictive. As we move further into the 21st century, intersectionality between fine arts (like dance) and sports (like breakdancing) becomes more evident. Art follows no rules, while sports are constrained to specific regulations. Yet, both require extensive physical strain. Between these two ends of the spectrum fall unconventional art forms and activities like skateboarding and chess.
Simply categorizing activities as “sports” or “not-sports” based on their level of skill and physical activity takes away from their true purpose. While it is easy to determine what a sport is based on these characteristics, the purpose of these sports and activities is to let individuals expand their communication with others, develop lasting friendships, and participate in an activity that gives them joy. As the sports world becomes more inclusive in regards to their sports categorizations, the perception of athletics around the world is changing, for the better.
