Curling, a true sport or not?

[Skwim]

Watching an Olympic promo the other day on curling got me thinking about its inclusion in the Olympics.


Correct me if I'm wrong---and I know someone will---but my impression of an Olympic sport, or any "sport" for that matter, is that it should entail some kind of exceptional physical exertion or at least exertion requiring some kind physical fitness. I looked at the list of all the sports included in both the summer and winter Olympics, and really have to question the following four.

Archery: one stands motionless while drawing back on a bow string. An obese couch potato could qualify just as well as one in prime physical condition.

Shooting: same can be said for this sucker.

Curling: well, at least some of the participants move, although I wouldn't call sweeping ice with a broom particularly exerting,. . . . .and it isn't.

Golf: In as much as everyone is driven around in golf carts the only exertion is swinging a golf club now and then, something even my mother can do, and she's not in any kind of athletic shape.​

Thing is, if these "sports" can be included then why not the sport of pool, or the sport of bowling, or the sport of darts?

.

 

[Revoltingest]

Shooting & archery differ from the others in that conditioning confers a competitive
advantage, especially in the biathlon. In both, a low resting pulse is required.
When I shot competitively, I trained to get my pulse down in the 40s.
I saw something today about one guy in curling....he was forced to slim down
in order to be allowed to compete. Old & chubby presents a bad image.
But yes, the sports you list aren't high fitness sports like cross country
skiing or speed skating.

 

[bobhikes]

Watching an Olympic promo the other day on curling got me thinking about its inclusion in the Olympics.


Correct me if I'm wrong---and I know someone will---but my impression of an Olympic sport, or any "sport" for that matter, is that it should entail some kind of exceptional physical exertion or at least exertion requiring some kind physical fitness. I looked at the list of all the sports included in both the summer and winter Olympics, and really have to question the following four.

Archery: one stands motionless while drawing back on a bow string. An obese couch potato could qualify just as well as one in prime physical condition.

Shooting: same can be said for this sucker.

Curling: well, at least some of the participants move, although I wouldn't call sweeping ice with a broom particularly exerting,. . . . .and it isn't.

Golf: In as much as everyone is driven around in golf carts the only exertion is swinging a golf club now and then, something even my mother can do, and she's not in any kind of athletic shape.​

Thing is, if these "sports" can be included then why not the sport of pool, or the sport of bowling, or the sport of darts?

.

Archery requires upper body strength even with compound bow's you are pulling back 45 lbs. You need to keep that still to fire accurately.

Golf its my understanding that carts aren't allowed for any majors or the Olympics so you have to walk 18 holes not much exertion but a little more.

There trying to get Pool recognized and have been for several years.
From the Billiard Forum.
Today's reality, however, is that for Billiards at the Olympic level, the World Confederation of Billiard Sports (WCBS) now represent all games under the cue sports umbrella that are being pushed for inclusion in the Olympics. In 1998, billiards was recognized by the IOC as an "international sports federation". Experts say, and agree, that this is the first step to getting billiards in the Olympic games. This organization is now campaigning for inclusion in either the 2012 Olympics, having been unsuccessful with getting cue sports into the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

[oldbadger]

Watching an Olympic promo the other day on curling got me thinking about its inclusion in the Olympics.

Correct me if I'm wrong---and I know someone will---but my impression of an Olympic sport, or any "sport" for that matter, is that it should entail some kind of exceptional physical exertion or at least exertion requiring some kind physical fitness. I looked at the list of all the sports included in both the summer and winter Olympics, and really have to question the following four.

OK.......................

Archery: one stands motionless while drawing back on a bow string. An obese couch potato could qualify just as well as one in prime physical condition.

Have you tried it? It takes every nerve, sinew and muscle in control to shoot the bow well.
And it is possible for variously disabled folks to compete at world-class levels.

Shooting: same can be said for this sucker.

Shooting is massively physical, and of course one of the most extremely physical Olympic competitions is the Bi-Athlon. A Four-star sport requiring strength, stamina, speed and suppleness.

Curling: well, at least some of the participants move, although I wouldn't call sweeping ice with a broom particularly exerting,. . . . .and it isn't.

You'd be nackered after one sweep, if you could stay upright for the whole course!

Golf: In as much as everyone is driven around in golf carts the only exertion is swinging a golf club now and then, something even my mother can do, and she's not in any kind of athletic shape.

How far is one Olympic hole? A few hundred yards, and requiring strength, suppleness and speed of limbs.​

Thing is, if these "sports" can be included then why not the sport of pool, or the sport of bowling, or the sport of darts?

.[/QUOTE]

 

[oldbadger]

Archery requires upper body strength even with compound bow's you are pulling back 45 lbs. You need to keep that still to fire accurately.

Don't fire your bow! They're expensive!
However, you can shoot it....

 

[savagewind]

Archery requires upper body strength even with compound bow's you are pulling back 45 lbs. You need to keep that still to fire accurately.

Golf its my understanding that carts aren't allowed for any majors or the Olympics so you have to walk 18 holes not much exertion but a little more.

There trying to get Pool recognized and have been for several years.
From the Billiard Forum.
Today's reality, however, is that for Billiards at the Olympic level, the World Confederation of Billiard Sports (WCBS) now represent all games under the cue sports umbrella that are being pushed for inclusion in the Olympics. In 1998, billiards was recognized by the IOC as an "international sports federation". Experts say, and agree, that this is the first step to getting billiards in the Olympic games. This organization is now campaigning for inclusion in either the 2012 Olympics, having been unsuccessful with getting cue sports into the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

[Skwim]

Shooting & archery differ from the others in that conditioning confers a competitive
advantage, especially in the biathlon. In both, a low resting pulse is required.

The biathlon is a whole different animal. I was referring to shooting events such as:

10m air pistol men
10m air rifle men
25m rapid fire pistol men
50m pistol men
50m rifle 3 positions men
50m rifle prone men
double trap men
skeet men
trap men

.

 

[Revoltingest]

Have you tried it? It takes every nerve, sinew and muscle in control to shoot the bow well.
And it is possible for variously disabled folks to compete at world-class levels.
​

​

 

[bobhikes]

Don't fire your bow! They're expensive!
However, you can shoot it....

Actually you Draw, Aim and release no shooting either.

 

[oldbadger]

Actually you Draw, Aim and release no shooting either.

Don't drop it...... you'll scratch it!

 

[Revoltingest]

The biathlon is a whole different animal. I was referring to shooting events such as:

10m air pistol men
10m air rifle men
25m rapid fire pistol men
50m pistol men
50m rifle 3 positions men
50m rifle prone men
double trap men
skeet men
trap men

.

And don't forget the bobsled, luge, & skeleton.
Clearly some sports are more about skill than physical fitness.
Consider Olympic weightlifting v power lifting.
The former stresses skill more than the latter, which stresses sheer strength.
And then you have World's Strongest Man, which mixes skill, strength & endurance.
They all have their place.

 

[BSM1]

Watching an Olympic promo the other day on curling got me thinking about its inclusion in the Olympics.


Correct me if I'm wrong---and I know someone will---but my impression of an Olympic sport, or any "sport" for that matter, is that it should entail some kind of exceptional physical exertion or at least exertion requiring some kind physical fitness. I looked at the list of all the sports included in both the summer and winter Olympics, and really have to question the following four.

Archery: one stands motionless while drawing back on a bow string. An obese couch potato could qualify just as well as one in prime physical condition.

Shooting: same can be said for this sucker.

Curling: well, at least some of the participants move, although I wouldn't call sweeping ice with a broom particularly exerting,. . . . .and it isn't.

Golf: In as much as everyone is driven around in golf carts the only exertion is swinging a golf club now and then, something even my mother can do, and she's not in any kind of athletic shape.​

Thing is, if these "sports" can be included then why not the sport of pool, or the sport of bowling, or the sport of darts?

.

Have to agree with you on this one. Never understood the validity of some of the "sports" (don't you dare touch that beach volleyball, though). It's like in my neck of the woods when folks try to tell me NASCAR drivers are "athletes".

 

[Twilight Hue]

If Only They had NASCAR as an Olympic sport...

 

[BSM1]

If Only They had NASCAR as an Olympic sport...

Did you not see my above post?

 

[Skwim]

Archery requires upper body strength even with compound bow's you are pulling back 45 lbs. You need to keep that still to fire accurately.

Yup, and every year thousands and thousands of people do exactly the same thing. Only difference is that their aim is likely not as good.

Golf its my understanding that carts aren't allowed for any majors or the Olympics so you have to walk 18 holes not much exertion but a little more.

No doubt you're quite right. The only rules I could find were those for the Special Olympics where they're not allowed except under certain conditions.

.

 

[YmirGF]

I gave up worrying about stuff like this when synchronized swimming became an Olympic worthy sport.

 

[Revoltingest]

I gave up worrying about stuff like this when synchronized swimming became an Olympic worthy sport.

Synchronized diving & rhythmic gymnastics upped the ante.

 

[YmirGF]

Synchronized diving & rhythmic gymnastics upped the ante.

Synchronized shooting anyone?

 

[Vinayaka]

Former recreational curler here ... I suggest you watch the sweepers when the skip throws it slower than expected. Those guys are in real shape. Take a look at Ben Hebert sweeping next time Koe is on. Besides that brute strength, there is balance, precision aiming, and precision touch. So yes it's definitely a sport at that level. Is golf a sport?

 

[suncowiam]

I believe esport is a true sport so yeah, I believe curling is a sport.