Sport/Nonsport

[macloudt]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "cindysphynx" <cindysphynx at h...> wrote:

> So IMO sports can stay in the Olympics if:
> 
> 1.  There is an element of risk that something will go wrong;
> 2.  There is physical exertion (mental exertion isn't enough, 
because 
> if it were, there would be an Olympic event called "Cross-
> Examination");
> 3.  It is something people might actually do in real life (this 
rules 
> out things like flinging a ribbon around while doing flips); and 
> 4.  People can watch it without snickering (this rules out 
> synchronized swimming). 

The one "sport" whose inclusion would turn me off the Olympics 
forever is *darts*.  Yes, skill is involved...I for one should never 
be allowed to through blunt objects around in public, never mind 
sharp ones...but have you *seen* these guys?  Last I 
heard, "athletes" didn't look as if they had 2 family-sized pizzas 
and a 12-pack of Bud for breakfast.  Next to these guys, I look like 
Twiggy.  I can handle the BBC showing darts from time to time 
whenever big events are on, but calling it a sport is pushing it.  We 
should come up with a new word for such "sports", any and all which 
don't meet with Cindy's nifty 4-point system.  Any takers?

Mary Ann
(who enjoys watching snooker, but wouldn't call that a sport either)