Unusual sports added to the Olympics sparks debate of what makes a sport, a sport?
Sport, a term known worldwide which encompasses a wide range of physical activities that involve skill, competition, and entertainment. But there is still a debate of activities being classed as sports and whether they deserve this title.
The question lies of what makes a sport, a sport?
With 2024 being the year of the Olympics, this question has been raised again with the introduction of unconventional sports such as Breaking this year for example and others such as Skateboarding and Sport Climbing being introduced in the 2020 games.
The Olympics are a major international multi-sport event featuring summer and winter sports competitions. Thousands of athletes from around the world participate in the games, representing their countries. The Olympics are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart.
The main aim of the Olympic games is to celebrate the beauty of sport all around the world and those sports people who dedicate their lives to excel at these sports.
But with the introduction of sports that are not seen as being traditional the discussion of what defines a sport is sparked and to begin this the official definition has to established, only then can this be answered.
Definition
According to the dictionary the official definition for sport is the following:
sport [ spawrt ]
noun
- an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature
Skateboarding
Skateboarding made its debut in the Olympics at the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in the sport's history, it has become an official Olympic sport. Being added to the games gave the sport.
Sport Climbing
Sport Climbing became an Olympic sport for the 2020 games in the same year as Skateboarding for the first time in climbing's history, giving the sport an exposure it had never experienced before.
Breaking Dancing
Breakdancing, officially referred to as "breaking," will make its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games. This inclusion is part of the International Olympic Committee's efforts to incorporate more youth-oriented and urban sports into the Olympic program.
Many people may say that the above sports wouldn't and shouldn't even be classed as sports, let alone be Olympic credited.
But what would you say?
"They contribute to making the programme of the Olympic Games more gender balanced, more youthful and more urban."
Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee President
This comment was made my the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach so whether you believe these sports should be worthy of participating in the Olympics or not, the games believe that introducing sports such as these will bring a youthfulness to the Olympics and prevent fossilisation of the games.
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet, said when it comes to deciding sports to gain Olympic status they are guided by three main principles. These are sustainability, sports that speak to youth and those that reflect Paris 2024’s identity."
Therefore very much showcasing that the games is focused on evolving with the times and increasing a younger engagement, but as well as taken into consideration sports that will not compromise the needs of future generations. As well as this, Estanguet showcasing the development of the games' flexibility to allow the host's to include sports that reflect the culture and identity of their country along with the traditional sports, moving away from the rigidness that once was.
"They offer the opportunity to connect with the young generation.”
"We were guided by three principles – sustainability, sports that speak to youth and those that reflect Paris 2024’s identity."
But is the first time 'unusual' sports have been added to the Olympics?
Throughout the Olympics, new sports have been added, some which have been adopted and become quintessential to the games but some have never been seen again. In the time line beside these are just a few of the sports which have been added to the games but came with some questions of their credibility in such a sporting event such as the Olympics.
This showcases the Olympics' constant attempt to adapt and develop with the times. Therefore are the addition of Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Breaking just a natural progression for the games or are they just adding any sports.
Despite some of the above no longer being apart of the Olympics apart from Judo, Synchronised Swimming and Taekwondo. All of them when first introduced were seen to be uncommon or even regarded as not being sports.
Is the introduction of non-traditional sports just a part of the development of the Olympics celebrating the diversity and broadness of sport?
Philip Barker, an Executive Committee member of International Society of Olympic Historians explained that he believes the addition of these sports is:
"An attempt to make the games more relevant to young people."
Barker who has covered every Olympic Games since 1996 and Winter Games in 2006 and 2014 as well as reported on every Youth Olympic Games so far, amplified the use of the word urban when introducing these sports and explained that the games are simply moving with the times despite potential mixed opinions between older and younger generations.
Barker, when discussing the newest sport of the Olympics, breaking, suggested he expects many to be very impressed about how much physicality the sport actually takes. He compared the 'urban' sport to sports we have associated with the games for years such as Gymnastics showcasing just how these new sports do have a fit with the games.
"Quite impressed by the gymnastic and general physical conditioning of the break-dancers."
However that being said, Barker did express his feelings towards 'judged' sports. Breaking would come under this category as they are judged on their routine rather than scored and the positions of participants could be regarded as doubtful.
"In a race you know whoever comes past the line first is a winner."
The question of what makes a sport a sport is complex, however when observing all sports, they do have at least one of the following features.
Physical Exertion and Skill: Sports generally involve physical activity that requires skill and exertion. The level of physicality can vary, but there usually is a significant physical component that demands practice and expertise.
Competition: Sports involve competition, either against other individuals, teams, or against oneself (as in setting personal records). The competitive aspect is a defining feature, with clear rules and objectives that determine the winner and the loser.
Rules and Regulations: Sports are governed by a set of rules and regulations that ensure fair play and standardize the way the sport is played. These rules can be specific to the sport and are enforced by referees, umpires, or officials.
Organization: Sports are often organized at various levels, from local clubs and amateur leagues to professional leagues and international competitions. This organization helps to facilitate regular competitions and maintain standards within the sport.
Recognition: For an activity to be considered a sport, it often needs recognition by governing bodies, such as international federations or national sporting organizations. This recognition can validate the activity as a sport and support its development and regulation.
Audience and Community: Sports often have a following, with fans and communities that support teams or athletes. This social aspect can add to the sport's popularity and cultural significance.
Training and Development: Sports typically involve structured training and development programs to improve athletes' skills and performance. This can include coaching, practice sessions, and specialized facilities.
Objective Measurement: The outcome of sports competitions is usually determined by objective criteria, such as scoring points, crossing a finish line first, or achieving a certain distance or time. This objectivity helps in determining winners and maintaining fairness.
Sport Climbing
The sport was first introduced to the Olympics in 2020. This inclusion in the Olympics has significantly raised the sport's profile globally and attracted new audiences to the exciting and physically demanding nature of competitive climbing. The sport involves 40 climbers (20 men and 20 women), representing various countries around the world.
Events and Format
Sport climbing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics included a combined event featuring three disciplines:
- Speed Climbing: Climbers race against each other up a 15-meter wall.
- Bouldering: Climbers solve as many fixed routes on a 4.5-meter wall as possible within a given time.
- Lead Climbing: Climbers attempt to climb as high as possible on a 15-meter wall within a specified time.
Each climber's performance in these three disciplines was combined to determine the overall score, with the athlete having the lowest combined score winning the event.
Scoring System
The scoring system in the combined format was based on the multiplication of rankings in each discipline:
- A climber's rank in each discipline was multiplied (e.g., finishing 1st in speed, 2nd in bouldering, and 3rd in lead results in a score of 123 = 6).
- The climber with the lowest total score across the three disciplines won.
Future of Sport Climbing in the Olympics
Sport climbing will return in the Paris 2024 Olympics, but with a slight change in format:
- Two separate events will be held: one for speed climbing and one combined event for bouldering and lead climbing.
- This change aims to better reflect the specialties of different climbers and provide a more comprehensive competition format.
Saul Brewer, a climbing instructor of nine years at the XC centre in Hemel Hempstead discussed his thoughts on why sport climbing is great for the sport's exposure and how being Olympic credited has increased interest in the sport.
"100% Climbing is a sport."
Philip Barker explaining his thoughts on the addition of Sport Climbing.
"As a historian, what different activities are classed as sports will inevitably change over time."
Martin Polley, a sports historian said: "The Olympics is doing what it's always done, their not letting their programme fossilize." In response to the question of why sports that are somewhat unusual being given Olympic status. Polley emphasised the fact that the Olympics is moving with the times with the "sensible strategy" of considering what the youth of today visually want to watch and physically what they are doing.
The Director of the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University did explain that this isn't the first time the games has taken a tactical approach to increase engagement. Polley said: "In the mid 90's there was a clear agenda to bring in more sport to encourage women to participate." This decision making it into the gender balanced Olympics we know of now.
Polley also touched on one of the Olympics' other main priorities which is their push towards sustainability, the historian pointed out that all three of these sports need very little to no infrastructure.
"I hope that people get converted."
"Some will watch cynically and have their cynicism reinforced but some will watch it and actually be refreshingly changed."
The sport historian bought up the interesting topic of the importance of Olympic exposure on different sports. Polley posed the question: "Is the Olympic event going to be the pinnacle for a sport?" alluding to sports such as football, tennis and cricket, all sports which have well established tournaments outside of the Olympics. Although for sports such as skateboarding, sport climbing and breaking despite the fact they will have their internal competitions, competing at an Olympic level will more than likely be the peak.
Photo by shawn henry on Unsplash
Photo by shawn henry on Unsplash
Photo by Nathan Cima on Unsplash
Photo by Nathan Cima on Unsplash
Photo by Photographer Frederik Trovatten on Unsplash
Photo by Photographer Frederik Trovatten on Unsplash
It is said that the Olympics Games have been held since 776 BC and from then to now there have been consistent sports that many of us think about when we think of the Olympic Games such as Javelin, Athletics and Wrestling. However there have been the introduction of so many other sports which have become a foundation of the games we look forward to every four years.
These new sports such as Skateboarding and Sport Climbing have already showcased their right to be represented at arguably the biggest sporting event and with the launch of Breaking this year, the chances are this is going to be the case for this sport as well.
It is very clear that a major contender when adding new sports to the games is dependent on encouraging a younger demographic and to give a flavour of the host country's sporting culture perhaps sometimes more the sports themselves.
However that being said for the sports introduced, the main attraction for them is the exposure of their sport on a worldwide scale but the debate with the lifestyle sports such as Skateboarding is putting rules and regulations in place restricting the beauty of the sport/lifestyle. This idea aligns with the judged sports as mentioned by Philip Barker and poses the question can sports of a creative nature and subjective opinion truly be judged without doubt?
The answer of what makes a sport, a sport is going to forever cause debate as it is very much subjective. However many can agree that certain aspects have to be present to declare an activity a sport, let alone become an Olympic event.
With the ever evolving world of sports, in years to come Sport Climbing for example may become a household sport for the games and the concept of people questioning its existence will seem absurd. On top of this, the growth of sports such as Esports poses the question further of what makes a sport a sport and will it ever be at the Olympics.
"All these new sports have physical attributes so you can't gainsay them as their right to come into the Olympics."
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