why is figure skating a sport?

[phillysk8er]

I wrote a speech on this topic for my public speaking class and i was wondering what your opinions are. What makes figure skating a sport when so many people will say that it is not? Or, if you think its not a sport, what are your reasons for that opinion?

[loveskating]

Figure skating is many things.

It is recreational most of all.

Also there is show skating, where there are no competitive aspects other than the professional, which standards are based within the owership/leadership of the show itself and have credibility based on box office.

Figure skating is also a sport...because it EVOLVED that way historically. Who knows why? There are different theories, but in a way, who cares? The fact is, there is the ISU, the national federations and they organize competitioins nationally and internationally and have for some time.

Competitive Figure skating is a judged sport, like diving or gymnastics or boxing (without a knockout, boxing is entirely judged). No one claims these are not sports...although it is sometimes claimed that they are corrupt. Judged sports certainly lend themselves to charges of corruption, but it is also fair to say that spectators do not necessarily understand or care about the standards...any fool can recognize a knockout...but its much harder to learn the more sophisticated aspects of boxing (which I never have).

There are strong aspects of judging in many sports, like basketball and football, which can sometimes determine an outcome, and certainly there are rules (over which there is often controversey)

As to rules controversey, when I played basketball competitively, the women were not allowed to run the full court...we had to pass to our forwards and if we crossed the middle line, we were out of bounds.

That has totally changed. Now women run the full court, just like the men.

I think of figure skating as the "artist of all sports"!

[Kemy]

I wrote a speech on this topic for my public speaking class and i was wondering what your opinions are. What makes figure skating a sport when so many people will say that it is not? Or, if you think its not a sport, what are your reasons for that opinion?


sport n.
1. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

a. Figure skating is a physical activity
b. Competitive figure skating is governed by a set of rules.
c. Figure skaters often engage in competition.

No where in the definition of sport does it say that a SPORT must not be artistic or pretty. Because figure skating resembles dance in a way, many (mostly men) believe that it can't be a sport. To call figure skating a sport would be a blemish against the "real" sports, like football, basketball, et. al. Competitive figure skating requires hours of training, both mentally and physically, which is not an uncommon requirement amongst other, more common, sports.

[dooobedooo]

The web definition I found is:

1. sport, athletics -- (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)

Naturally, figure skating confirms to this definition, whereas ballet does not - and qualifies as an "art". The essential difference here is the ingredient of "competition".

Does this mean that without the element of competition, we do not have a sport? Surely not. This would mean that the following activities are not sport:
- kicking a football in the street;
- angling, recreationally;
- recreational skating;
- any other recreational sporting activity, not carried out in a competitive context, such as cycling, running, orienteering,swimming;
- participating in a fox hunt;
- throwing a stick for a dog.

The thing that these activities do have in common is that (a) they are not done expressly for practical benefit, and (b) they involve goal setting and achieving (as an adjunct to competition).

However, I am still not clear in my mind why "playing chess" is a sport, but dancing "ballet" is not .... perhaps ballet becomes an art in that the primary objective is artistic communication, and that this transcends any other goals.

So would "ballet" become a sport, if organised competitively? Probably ....

Because the rules and technical requirements of figure skating are difficult for a non-participant to understand, and because there is not (except in compulsory dances - long live compulsory dance!) a direct comparison between participants, it is difficult for non-skaters to understand difficulty and complexity of moves. There is also complex layer of traditions, which further obscure the results. But the desire to reward like against like, explains (for example) the move to jumps with ever increasing rotations. One of the problems, is that, as skating is a judged sport - there are inconsistencies in values attributed to different elements - for example, why is a triple axel supposedly harder than an upright spin with 60 revolutions? Why are quad jumps encouraged, but single back flips illegal? Is a perfectly executed triple toe loop with flow, better or worse than an under-rotated quad with a fall out of the landing? Why is a fluid program with great basic skating (edges, etc) sometimes judged as superior to one with poor basic skating but strong jumps and spins?

I think it is the necessary artificiality of goalsetting, the lack of a direct comparison element by element, and the lack of universal concurrence amongst judges, that makes figure skating sometimes appear less of a sport to outsiders. The proposed new "Code of Points" judging system is the most recent attempt to overcome this problem.

[Kemy]

Does this mean that without the element of competition, we do not have a sport? Surely not. This would mean that the following activities are not sport:
- kicking a football in the street;
- angling, recreationally;
- recreational skating;
- any other recreational sporting activity, not carried out in a competitive context, such as cycling, running, orienteering,swimming;
- participating in a fox hunt;
- throwing a stick for a dog.

The thing that these activities do have in common is that (a) they are not done expressly for practical benefit, and (b) they involve goal setting and achieving (as an adjunct to competition).

Sports are competitive and I think that, although not competitive, reacreational forms of the a "sport" that does involve competition are also considered sports...I believe fox hunting is a sport and is competitive. Many people partake in sports as recreation or hobbies. I think that too many people view figure skating as too much like ballet on ice and thus find it hard to see figure skating as a sport.

[Tapper]

Is figure skating always a sport? When it is "ballet on ice" as in Dorothy Hamill's review, or one of the other ice shows, is it still considered a sport or is it considered entertainment? And does it EVER cross over to the 'art' category. Is Stars on Ice a sports event or a theatrical event?

And of course, we all know (don't we) that ballet demands great athletic ability and is just as demanding physically as any sport. And there is competition in ballet just as there is in any art form... gold medals and all... but I don't imagine that the international event is considered a sporting event!

I think that figure skating is a combination of both sport and art. Maybe a little more refined than football...

[blades]

8-)

the competition makes figure skating a sport...and yes, it's a graceful one...but...never make the mistake of saying that one sport is more "refined" than another...

watching a great foreward pass, seeing a rock solid home run, a basket made from near centre court, a bobslead cut tightly through the curves...

watching kurt browning do footwork, watching guy lafleur skate past all the members of an opposing team, witnessing pele taking the ball past the best of defensemen...

all these things and more show me that greatness in any sport requires great talent, preseverance, proper training and coaching and a true love of the activity...pitting the athlete against all others and themselves to bring out the best in all...

and never think that ballet doesn't play a vital role in every physical sport...it is the basis for all body movements...

and one of the most important (and most often forgotten) things about any sport is: the athlete started it to have fun !!!...and it should always always...always be so!!!

[NickiT]

Skating makes you sweat. Surely that's enough to deem it a sport? If they call darts a sport but not skating then something is very wrong somewhere!!!

Nicki

[robertp]

The question of whether it is a sport is a very interesting one. Often I have thought that ballet is not a sport but takes a considerable amount of talent, dedication and good coaching. (and sweat) But, it is not considered a sport. I enjoy watching skating from a non-sporting type point of view. For me, this is a much more enjoyable way of watching and participating. I can enjoy the artistry, athleticism and grace of each skater without concerning myself about who will "win". Just like watching a good movie, play or musical.

The addition of a competitive element for an award seems to be the factor that makes something a "sport". Although that is not an absolute. There certainly is a "competition for Tony awards, Oscars, etc. But, skating shows take that competitive element away and in that sense and at that time I don't know that anyone would consider it a sporting event. It is an entertainment.

I often wonder if we would be better off if at the lower levels we would consider not having a true competition. Just wondering about it, but interested in others comments.

[SkateFan123]

The question of whether it is a sport is a very interesting one. Often I have thought that ballet is not a sport but takes a considerable amount of talent, dedication and good coaching. (and sweat) But, it is not considered a sport. I enjoy watching skating from a non-sporting type point of view. For me, this is a much more enjoyable way of watching and participating. I can enjoy the artistry, athleticism and grace of each skater without concerning myself about who will "win". Just like watching a good movie, play or musical.

The addition of a competitive element for an award seems to be the factor that makes something a "sport". Although that is not an absolute. There certainly is a "competition for Tony awards, Oscars, etc. But, skating shows take that competitive element away and in that sense and at that time I don't know that anyone would consider it a sporting event. It is an entertainment.

I often wonder if we would be better off if at the lower levels we would consider not having a true competition. Just wondering about it, but interested in others comments.
I used to think it a sport but with the new scoring system of using a "caller" appointed by the ISU President (who only reports to the ISU President) telling judges what to score and at what degree and with judging being done in total secrecy, I now have joined the ranks of those thinking that figure skating is NOT a sport!

[AxelAnnie22]

Is figure skating always a sport? When it is "ballet on ice" as in Dorothy Hamill's review, or one of the other ice shows, is it still considered a sport or is it considered entertainment? And does it EVER cross over to the 'art' category. Is Stars on Ice a sports event or a theatrical event?

And of course, we all know (don't we) that ballet demands great athletic ability and is just as demanding physically as any sport. And there is competition in ballet just as there is in any art form... gold medals and all... but I don't imagine that the international event is considered a sporting event!

I think that figure skating is a combination of both sport and art. Maybe a little more refined than football...
Hi Tapper.

Nice Post. Maybe it is only a sport when it is being judged.

Personally, I take the unpopular view that skating is not a sport.

In my view, sport is a competition which is won or lost on objective criteria: Points, Knock-out, etc.

Skating (in my view) is a judged competition, not a sport. People get all "het up" about that, thinking it is a put down but it isn't. It is just different. A competition (or activity) - even an athletic activity - in which the winner is decided by the vote of a group of people who subjective apply criteria, is not a sport, it is a competition, and a judged one at that.

Imagine, for example, a soccer game that was decided on the basis of 6 judges who used, aside from the number of scored goals, the color of uniform, execution of a kick, height of the kicking leg, and uniformity of the team as part of the decision of who won. Wouldn't happen. In a sport, in my view, the outcome is objectively decided.

Now, I know there are referees in sports, and they seem like judges, but they really aren't. Just as in skating, it is the referee's job to apply rules when there is a dispute, or a close call. But, at the end of the day, the referee (unlike a skating judge) does not get to place one team in front of the other (although a decision he/she made may decide that) .

I guess people insist on the "sport" designation because it brings a different recognition, an thus more money. But, we do call them skating competitions. Does the NFL call games competitions? :bow:

[Kemy]

Skating (in my view) is a judged competition, not a sport. People get all "het up" about that, thinking it is a put down but it isn't. It is just different. A competition (or activity) - even an athletic activity - in which the winner is decided by the vote of a group of people who subjective apply criteria, is not a sport, it is a competition, and a judged one at that.

So diving and gymnastics are also not sports?

Also, all games are competitions...and not all games are sports related. Football is a competition. The term game is more common, but like I said, games are competitions.

Encarta even refers to the Super Bowl as a competition.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761579395/Super_Bowl.html#endads
"During the early 1990s, Super Bowl competition was marked by four consecutive losses by the Buffalo Bills of the AFC, in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. "

People have differing opinions on what a "sport" is. I think most people tend to look at the "competition" in question and then decide if it is a sport or not. I suggest going back to the definition of sport and THEN comparing that criteria to what the "competition" offers.

In my view, sport is a competition which is won or lost on objective criteria: Points, Knock-out, etc.

I was in a math "competition" in high school. The winners were decided upon by adding up the number of questions we got correct and then ranking us in order. Is that a sport?

With the new COP, it's still judgiing, but you add up the points that you get for what you are physically able to do. If you don't do the elements, you don't get points for it. In football, if you don't get a safety, touchdown, or field goal, you won't get points. It's basically the same thing, but just different levels of judging.

[dooobedooo]

A friend of mine used to belong to a club that played "women's non-competitive tennis".

Does this mean that their tennis wasn't a sport?

[Tapper]

8-)

the competition makes figure skating a sport...and yes, it's a graceful one...but...never make the mistake of saying that one sport is more "refined" than another...

watching a great foreward pass, seeing a rock solid home run, a basket made from near centre court, a bobslead cut tightly through the curves...


Ok! I was using a little humor there... but the truth is that I don't like football. I know, I'm one of the three Americans living in the country who cannot stand to watch a football game! At one time I was afraid to admit it. Now, I'm liberated! :)

But I accept your point and I would think that when looked at carefully all great athletes posess a certain grace and form that is formidable.

[Tapper]

Personally, I take the unpopular view that skating is not a sport.

Imagine, for example, a soccer game that was decided on the basis of 6 judges who used, aside from the number of scored goals, the color of uniform, execution of a kick, height of the kicking leg, and uniformity of the team as part of the decision of who won. Wouldn't happen. In a sport, in my view, the outcome is objectively decided.

I guess people insist on the "sport" designation because it brings a different recognition, an thus more money. But, we do call them skating competitions. Does the NFL call games competitions? :bow:

Well, you are braver than I, as I cannot take a stand on it one way or the other. I am simply perplexed by the question, and the many questions that arise from it. I also think that Kemy's question regarding the status of diving and gymnastics pretty interesting. Do you think that it is possible that the definition of 'sport' is flexible? I'm wondering if the 'sport' of figure skating has changed over the years... after it was first defined as a 'sport' into something that pushes the definition.

Now, that soccer game you describe is one I would LOVE to see! What drama! :lol: