Open Mic: To Sport, or Not To Sport?

An interesting topic came across the wire, and to be honest, I thought George Carlin was dead.

What exactly, gives credence to what is a sport?

By the Webster's online dictionary, Sport looks like this:

1 a: a source of diversion : recreation b: sexual play c (1): physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2): a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in

It also lists a synonyms see fun.

So now, it comes down to what is exactly recreation? Activity, having fun, something enjoyable? And no, contrary to Robin Williams, there won't be any sexual play at the Olympics.

But to think about it, any activity, that people find fun, recreational, and engaging, would qualify.

Bowling, obviously gets a nod...Speed eating? Um, i'm having doubts.

Darts? Gray area. If you count walking to the dart board, probably could wiggle it in.

Chess? Not as much, more of an exercise of mental fitness, than actual physical work...but, not to be alarmed...I know some people who need a nap after a game, due to the mental work involved in a three hour match.

Ballroom dancing? Well, it does have competition, it is a physical exercise, and to some it is recreational...another candidate for the gray area.

Of course, the opposite side of the quotient, is things like, Bloodsport fighting. When does too much physical work become detrimental? How about when someone's pummeled and can't remember his own name?

And again, the food contests, like Nathan's hot dog contest.

It's amazing that some people will risk blowing out their stomach, but even more. The fans watching these events seem to not mind watching a 105 pound person glutton himself.

It's a strange twist on society...we'd throw a fit, if playing Russian Roulette was a sport, because, someone would lose...but we see nothing wrong with gorging oneself.

A counterpoint could be that these people are trained to endure—both at the eating levels, but as well, at the dietary levels of digestion—so they don't explode into a pile of hot dogs, cheeseburgers, wings, or other foodstuffs.

I'll open this up to the floor...lots of different activities, and a lot of gray area to debate on.