What is a sport?/ what is a pastime ??
We are continually hearing that those who participate in traditional pastimes are now wanting them declared as a sport.
This morning on the news the latest was Bell Ringing -- It was even said that it could be included in the Olympic Game.
So what is a sport and what is a pastime ???????
K 
Comments
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A sport is anything that requires special footwear. As pastime you don't. So for example Snooker is a pastime as you don't need special shoes. Figure skating is a sport because you do. I admit that swimming is a bit of a grey area but you do normally
take your normal shoes off.0 -
Bell ringing?, Campanology. . . .It's an 'ology' it's for clever folks.
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Is bell ringing a sport? It's certainly quite a physical excercise and it calls for a certain degree of practice and skill to become proficient (OH bell rang from teens until age and inability to stand in one place for long periods of time prevented her,
a peal can last around three hours so some stamina needed)0 -
It's like syncro swimming. Skill, doubtless but sport?
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Next it will be that ancient pastime of day dreaming or international 'stare blink out' contests. I was not really very good at the latter and should have entered the gurning contest instead. This
was a little like my expression when I was in competition except I would turn red and tears would run!
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A very interesting question! Some activities, that require physical exertion and degrees of skill are obvious as sport. Anything where someone is in physical competition with an individual or team is another obvious definition. But all these criteria, exertion,
skill, competition can be true of activities that are not classed as true sports, but more as hobbies or passive activities.To consider bell ringing as an Olympic sport would be a none starter I think, wonderfully skilled, physically demanding, but as far as I am aware, only UK carries out "change ringing", so who would the competition be? Wonderful competitions are held up and
down our "ringing Isle", but I didnt know it was an international thing? Could be wrong though.
Some "artistic" sports, such as dressage, synchro swimming, etc..... require a great deal more energy than more obvious "sports". I would equate a three minute synchro routine to a similar energy level as a three day cricket match, having done both! But
most would consider cricket a more obvious sport!0 -
TTDA, Interesting post of yours. In light of what you said, I wonder if the world sporting authorities should adopt the original Olympic Ideals of
Fastest, Highest, longest and
Strongest, being the true sports. The results of which are truly objective. Those which involve subjectivity (i.e. a panel of judges ) although sometimes strenuous is a grey area.Don't know which category team games would come into. Tug of War is objective, Syncronised swimming is subjective.
Interesting !!!
K
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caravaning is a hobby
motorhoming is a sport
Write your comments here...would add that Caravaning is a really good spectator sport and a bit like dressage, what with that the reverse manoeuvre element.
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Mickey Boy, are Motorhomers failed Caravanners?, the-'I can't reverse a Caravan so I'll buy a mini bus' type of person. You being an expert(obviously) I would welcome your insight
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Mickey Boy, are Motorhomers failed Caravanners?, the-'I can't reverse a Caravan so I'll buy a mini bus' type of person. You being an expert(obviously) I would welcome your insight
Write your comments here...yes, had trailer tents and caravans, I just hope others got/possibly will get as much pleasure spectating my attempts at this element of the sport.
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Mickey Boy, are Motorhomers failed Caravanners?, the-'I can't reverse a Caravan so I'll buy a mini bus' type of person. You being an expert(obviously) I would welcome your insight
Write your comments here...yes, had trailer tents and caravans, I just hope others got/will get as much pleasure spectating my attempts at this element of the sport.
Thankfully there are not may schadenfreuders around these days Mickey Boy, you are a dying breed. Sport, really?
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Nowadays, with increased technology, more activities taken up and involving more nations/countries, the definition is very blurred. Athletes/participants may be in competition in a number of ways, that is they could be in a team competition, competing as
an individual, competing against a recognised tariff, knockout event, year long event, single event. Some activities require intense ongoing training, others not so much. Others are more dependent upon the equipment technology or breeding! Some require certain
physiological characteristics, (think highly successful black runners v few successful black swimmers). There will always of course be individuals who buck this trend.Some Olympic events are recent additions, others are only included for one or two Games, and generally reflect something where the host nation can expect to win medals!
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More of a comedy sketch if I reverse either to be honest!
But in that spirit of true English grit, it is the taking part that matters!0 -
Mickey Boy, are Motorhomers failed Caravanners?, the-'I can't reverse a Caravan so I'll buy a mini bus' type of person. You being an expert(obviously) I would welcome your insight
Write your comments here...yes, had trailer tents and caravans, I just hope others got/will get as much pleasure spectating my attempts at this element of the sport.
Thankfully there are not may schadenfreuders around these days Mickey Boy, you are a dying breed. Sport, really?
Miserable! Tongue in cheek, mischievous in a friendly way but reasonable happy!0 -
Nowadays, with increased technology, more activities taken up and involving more nations/countries, the definition is very blurred. Athletes/participants may be in competition in a number of ways, that is they could be in a team competition, competing as an individual, competing against a recognised tariff, knockout event, year long event, single event. Some activities require intense ongoing training, others not so much. Others are more dependent upon the equipment technology or breeding! Some require certain physiological characteristics, (think highly successful black runners v few successful black swimmers). There will always of course be individuals who buck this trend.
Some Olympic events are recent additions, others are only included for one or two Games, and generally reflect something where the host nation can expect to win medals!
By breeding I would say social class is more of an influence as it can provide opportunities. Like sports offered to the so called middle/upper classes to engage and excel in. Real tennis, polo etc and to a lesser degree, rugby union and golf etc may be such sports. Culturally, some sports are more attractive/available to individuals than others! A Jamaican Bob team comes the mind. With money behind them and snow on their island I'm sure they would have the potential to excel. Genetics may be important at an individual level mind but 'body types-muscular/skeletal variations' are found in every group of humans and not just common to just one or another. This spectrum of DNA has other issues mind, like what determines female or male! Now the governing bodies in sports really haven't tacked that one yet although they have tried, unfairly and cruelly in some instances in my mind.
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Mickey Boy, are Motorhomers failed Caravanners?, the-'I can't reverse a Caravan so I'll buy a mini bus' type of person. You being an expert(obviously) I would welcome your insight
Write your comments here...yes, had trailer tents and caravans, I just hope others got/will get as much pleasure spectating my attempts at this element of the sport.
Thankfully there are not may schadenfreuders around these days Mickey Boy, you are a dying breed. Sport, really?
Miserable! Tongue in cheek, mischievous in a friendly way but reasonable happy!0 -
How can bell ringing be an Olympic sport if it only occurs in Britain? It doesn't, below is a list of how many peals of bells, and where they are
As of 30 September 2015 there are 7,140 English style rings.(or peals)
The Netherlands, Pakistan, India, and Spain have one each.
The Windward Isles and the Isle of Man have 2 each.
Canada and New Zealand 8 each.
The Channel Isles 10.
Africa as a continent has 13.
Scotland 24, Ireland 37,
USA 48, Australia 59 and Wales 227.
The remaining 6,798 (95.2%) are in England (including three mobile rings)
Probably not enough to generate an Olympic event but more world wide than one might think(Mrs Steve)
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You aren't likely to get many Inuit beach volleyball players, either.
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How can bell ringing be an Olympic sport if it only occurs in Britain? It doesn't, below is a list of how many peals of bells, and where they are
As of 30 September 2015 there are 7,140 English style rings.(or peals)
The Netherlands, Pakistan, India, and Spain have one each.
The Windward Isles and the Isle of Man have 2 each.
Canada and New Zealand 8 each.
The Channel Isles 10.
Africa as a continent has 13.
Scotland 24, Ireland 37,
USA 48, Australia 59 and Wales 227.
The remaining 6,798 (95.2%) are in England (including three mobile rings)
Probably not enough to generate an Olympic event but more world wide than one might think(Mrs Steve)
Write your comments here...that's interesting Mrs Steve! Lots of ex colonies in there! are international competitions held at all? When I get the chance, ie, a break from caring duties I want to have a go at bell ringing, have made enquiries but at moment
can't commit on a regular basis.0
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