What is sport, or what does it mean to be a sport? Naturally, one would begin to ponder such a question and only come up with what seems obvious. One would answer with things that seem innate to them, such as: basketball, football, baseball, or soccer. But, to respond in such manner leaves the question unanswered. That kind of answer to the question does not define what a sport is, but instances where a case is claiming to be a sport that one happens to have a level of familiarity with. Does a sport have a definition that can be unequivocally known? Or, is it an arbitrary thing with the only criterion being that many people far and wide partake in it? With that in mind the question that needs to be examined and established is no longer
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The players across from each other form partnerships as North-South and East-West. The object of the game is that each partnership must take as many ‘’tricks’’ or hands as possible from the other team. The Oxford Dictionary defines a sport as“a competitive activity involving physical effort and skill”. (Oxford) Bridge, certainly, is a game that is competitive in nature as most games are. The qualm would come with the second part of the definition given thus far, that which is “involving physical effort and skill”. Agreed with by some, and seen in the New York Time’s article on the issue “activities like bridge and chess are not sports because they lack the required element of physical activity”. (Mather 2) But, what exactly constitutes as physical activity? Such a thing can seem arbitrary because fitness does vary from person to person and sport to sport based on required length of activity, skill set, and personnel’’. For example: On average an NFL football game has 11 minutes of live action, and that live action takes place in small bursts. (Silverman 1) On the opposite end of the spectrum a game of chess can be significantly longer if opponents are fairly matched, which in turns requires more mental focus and physical exertion over a period of time. So what does that mean? An improved, working, definition of sport of course. What is considered a sport can be: A
The players across from each other form partnerships as North-South and East-West. The object of the game is that each partnership must take as many ‘’tricks’’ or hands as possible from the other team. The Oxford Dictionary defines a sport as“a competitive activity involving physical effort and skill”. (Oxford) Bridge, certainly, is a game that is competitive in nature as most games are. The qualm would come with the second part of the definition given thus far, that which is “involving physical effort and skill”. Agreed with by some, and seen in the New York Time’s article on the issue “activities like bridge and chess are not sports because they lack the required element of physical activity”. (Mather 2) But, what exactly constitutes as physical activity? Such a thing can seem arbitrary because fitness does vary from person to person and sport to sport based on required length of activity, skill set, and personnel’’. For example: On average an NFL football game has 11 minutes of live action, and that live action takes place in small bursts. (Silverman 1) On the opposite end of the spectrum a game of chess can be significantly longer if opponents are fairly matched, which in turns requires more mental focus and physical exertion over a period of time. So what does that mean? An improved, working, definition of sport of course. What is considered a sport can be: A