Charles Staley

[Mark Rippetoe]

So gymnastics is not a sport? Weightlifting? Help me understand your definition better.

[Glen]

Sporting, yes, sportsmen involved in an athletic event or consider them athletes? no.

Athletes not only master their own skill, but do so when that mastery is directly challenged by somone else:
Soldiers
Fighters
Football/Soccer
Rugby
Polo
etc

Sportsmen are only masters of their own skill. No direct intervention with anyone. Success or failure can(sometimes) be dictated by a third party(judges):
Gymnastics
Weightlifting
Bodybuilding
Most track/field events
Skeet shooting
etc.

Now, before I start getting flamed for not considering a 1000lb lift, or a perfect 10 in gymnastics athletic, I certainly feel that that level of personal mastery is extremely impressive.

There is also a minimum level of physicality in my definition as well. 'world series of poker', while being on espn, is only a game. Chess or 'go fish' is only a game.

But, again, the 'competitor' (-all ability levels being equal-), that not only has to deal with his/her own mastery but somone elses at the same time must surely be held in higher regard. I reserve that highest regard to be the 'athlete' or 'athletic event'. Second would be sportsmen.

Also, remember to keep ability levels similar with trying to wade thru what I posted. Comparing an olympic gymnast and some kids in the back yard playing 'tag' would be silly. But a 1000lift and a main event in the UFC, which event would you chose to be the athletes. Not all of them by any stretch of the imagination.