Olympics -- Ballroom Dancing Not a Sport

**texcattlerancher** · 05-03-2008, 06:33 PM

The Olympics are coming up in August. We will once again see subjectively scored events. And, isn't Ballroom Dancing an official event now, or at least up for consideration to be included as an Olympic event?

I don't think a contest should qualify as a "sport" if the scoring process involves a subjective component. "Oh, the artistry of that was just fabulous, so I think I will give it a 10."

There is no question that Olympians are tremendous athletes, even if they are "competing" in Ballroom Dance. But, do you really think something qualifies as a sport when it is subjectively scored?

Sports include those contests where there is no question as to the winner -- entirely scored by an objective measure.

Alright, all you gymnasts out there (subjective component to scoring) have at me.

**Hoos** · 05-03-2008, 06:49 PM

Synchronized swimming. Nuff said.

**Holton181** · 05-03-2008, 06:59 PM

If Curling and Rhythmic Gymnastics can be Olympic sports, so can ballroom dancing. I would imagine it's scored the same way Figure Skating is scored: you have a predetermined routine given to the judges, and the judges rate your performance based on the skill level involved and the accuracy of the performance.

**farace** · 05-03-2008, 07:06 PM

Something about ballroom dancing just seems wrong to me when considered as an Olympic sport (or ice dancing as opposed to figure skating); maybe because I've not heard it referred to as a sport in any other context. What's next, break dancing?

But it's not the subjectivity that bothers me. Isn't diving, too, subjective in many ways? Has it ever been questioned?

**Bluestaco** · 05-03-2008, 07:13 PM

Chess.

**Must Dash** · 05-03-2008, 07:23 PM

"In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams."

The Olympic oath seems a bit on the subjective side too.

Cheers

Jeremy

**texcattlerancher** · 05-03-2008, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Hoos

Synchronized swimming. Nuff said.

Argument clincher, and so early in the thread too.

Curling = sport because it is objectively scored.

Rythmic Gymnastics -- most definitely not a sport. Subjectively scored.

Figure Skating and Ice Dancing -- not sports. Subjectively scored.

Speed skating = sport. Objectively scored.

Diving -- not sport. Subjectively scored. Great athletic feat, but not sport.

Chess. Hmmm. Yes, objectively scored, but it seems like sport ought to require something more than leaning over a table while butt in chair. Not sport.

If the subjectively scored activities are sports, then "painting" should be considered for the Olympics.

**texcattlerancher** · 05-03-2008, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Must Dash

[I]without doping and without drugs-I]
Jeremy

Cheating would be a different thread unto itself. Lord knows there have been some East German women who could whip most of us in a fight. Heck, during the Cold War, some of the women might have been men, once.

**LIMIT** · 05-03-2008, 07:37 PM

oh my gosh!!!! I'v3 got a shot of tiddly-wink champion, and why not? Look at the other so called "sports" geesh....

LIMIT

**BMWRider** · 05-03-2008, 07:43 PM

So is boxing a sport when there is a knock out, and an athletic feat when it goes the distance? Just wondering.

**ClunkClunk** · 05-03-2008, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by texcattlerancher

But, do you really think something qualifies as a sport when it is subjectively scored?

Yes.

IMHO, we should define Olympic events as "athletic activities" regardless of subjective/objective. This would eliminate events like chess and curling, but keep in things like diving, snowboarding, and other subjectively judged events. I'm also not a huge fan of the shooting component of the biathlon, as I don't see how shooting is an athletic sport.

Oh and Ballroom Dancing is probably a part of DanceSport, which is a 'recognized sport' by the IOC, but is not a medal sport.

**texcattlerancher** · 05-03-2008, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by BMWRider

So is boxing a sport when there is a knock out, and an athletic feat when it goes the distance? Just wondering.

Boxing has always been the chink in the armor of this argument. But, it certainly doesn't have a subjectively scored "artistic" component.

**Must Dash** · 05-03-2008, 07:58 PM

I was once a contender for the 100 meter mosey

Cheers

Jeremy

**BMWRider** · 05-03-2008, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by texcattlerancher

Boxing has always been the chink in the armor of this argument. But, it certainly doesn't have a subjectively scored "artistic" component.

While I never was much of an athlete, I did box in the smokers and can assure anyone that it takes an incredible amount of ability to be good at it. Having a record of 1-4, I can assure you I was not good at it, though it was fun until I got my lights put out, thus ended my time in the ring.

**Hoos** · 05-03-2008, 08:09 PM

My original post in response was incorrect and off topic.

It should have read "Synchronized Shaving" not "swimming". The management extends its sincere apologies for this egregious error.

There would be two divisions: men and women (above the neck and below the knees only).

Points would be awarded on lathering, technique, passes required, and BBSiveness of the shave.

**Henrique** · 05-04-2008, 03:43 AM

Squash isn't in the Olympics. Probably only in 2016. Go figure.

an interesting article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...sh/6480037.stm

**Henrique** · 05-04-2008, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by Henrique

Squash isn't in the Olympics. Probably only in 2016. Go figure.

an interesting article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...sh/6480037.stm

But Table Tennis is. I guess I made the right switch in sports

**SilkySmooth** · 05-04-2008, 03:55 AM

So, if you're 4'11" in a tard dancing on a mat it's a sport, but if you're fully dressed with a partner on hardwood floors it's not. Go figure

==Tom

**2bits** · 05-04-2008, 07:23 AM

Do the Olympics = sport?

There is an aspect of pure sport (the love of the game) that requires no score be kept so the game is extended as long as possible.

If you keep score (and declare winners and losers) you are not so much about extending the game as about stopping play so you can all go home to dream about being a "player" - sport then is reduced to an idea a hi-story not an experience or something you do.

Any sport that stops is dead.
To live - sport - is a game that is ongoing ... NEVER KEEP SCORE

you play you win you play you lose you play

**Ernie** · 05-04-2008, 07:30 AM

Even scoring sports, such as basketball, are influenced by subjective opinion at times. There are referees who can decide a game the right or wrong way.