It is the Olympics again. It seems like they happens every couple of years. We have been watching for a few hours every night. Thanks to whoever invented Tivo type devices.

As usual much of the judging of events like diving and gymnastics is questionable. In the spirit of trying to solve this issue I’d like to offer this definition of a sport.

A sport is

• a competition requiring athletic prowess
  
• the winner of which is obvious to an untrained observer.

By this definition:

• Basketball is a sport
• Synchronized diving is not a sport
• Pole vaulting is a sport
• Chess is not a sport
• Dressage is not a sport
• Beach volleyball is a sport
• Gymnastics is not a sport
• Darts is a sport
• Archery is a sport
• Rifle is on the cusp

Just because a competition is classified as an exhibition does not mean that it is not amazing or that the competitors are not wonderful.  They are incredible, but half the time I can’t tell which one is best and neither can the judges.  It is time to separate the sports and the exhibitions.

• Dancing With the Stars is an exhibition.
• Football is a sport.

There is room in the world for both types of events.  But perhaps the Olympics should only be for sports.