Is competitive gaming a sport?

[WTXGamers]

Figured I'd get the opinion of everyone on the topic of competitive gaming being a sport? Now let me define what exactly competitive gaming is in reference to the question above before you give your opinion.

Over the past few years the hobby/addiction of playing video games has evolved to a competitive nature that has been recognized by such companies as ESPN, Dr.Pepper, GameStop, and etc... Why has it been recognized? These companies recognize the size of its audience that can be called the most diverse by some critics. Now the topic of competitive gaming being a sport is raised as the athletes of this scene are winning large prizes such as $100,000 tournaments (http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/31/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/). There are other reasons why some call this a sport, but I am curious of what the Big Country sees this scene as.

[bigfatfurrytexan]

it is not a sport, and neither is poker.

sport, to me, requires some level of atheleticism.

Don't get me wrong, i am an avid gamer (xbox live), and i spend many, many hours a week playing.

[sparky-4]

anything done one a computer, or gaming console is not a sport IMHO

[TheTechGuru]

No Comment. lol.

[UnoVaquero]

Our culture defines sport as an athletic competition, until the day comes that a competitive debate or a band competion is defined as a sport than the sport status is closed to things like poker and Madden football.
Just because ESPN puts it on TV or the IOC gives a medal for it does not make it a sport.

[WTXGamers]

Ah, good replies and thank you all for voting! It is interesting to see what opinions are for why competitive gaming is not a sport. A part of me wonders why some feel like it is a sport. For me personally I do feel like it has some of the sport characteristics as such those in competitive gaming practice and train themselves in the same style as professional athletes do. This training may not be seen as physically active by some standards; however, these gaming professionals have developed a workout that allows them to win competitions.

Observing this perspective is one reason why I see it as a sport. Are there any other opinions to aide the "Competitive gaming is a sport" discussion?

Once again, thank you for the comments!

[SLAPSH0T]

Coming from someone who has been actively involved in sports all my life, to even remotely suggest playing video games is a "sport" is a joke. If you declare competative gaming as a sport, than go ahead a call chess, checkers, poker, etc. a sport too. By that logic why not declare American Idol a sport as well? Those idiots have to practice and train thier voices for the "competition". I guess it's all relative, but in my book, video gaming is not a sport (although I do enjoy playing video games, look me up on XBOX Live).

[WTXGamers]

Thank you for another valid point added. If we considered "playing video games" as a sport then why not the other activities that require practice and training to compete, but since I don't associate myself to those scenes I'll leave that to someone who cares to support that debate. :D

While I do see playing video games as not being a sport simply due to the fact that anyone could be classified as a athlete of video games. The topic of competitive gaming is what I feel is a sport. Following some of the professional atheletes of this sport I see the dedication, seriousness of each one of them. It is a big difference between the casual video gamer and the competitive gamer.

As an example I'll take a known sport of our area, football. Would we consider this a sport on many levels but would we consider those that play fantasy football as a sport? Do we consider those that toss the football around the yard to be an athlete of the sport? All depends on who it is?

Thank you once again for the comments. It is part of my research to see what the Big Country sees video gaming, competitive gaming as and how to attract gamers to competitions.

[bigfatfurrytexan]

Thank you for another valid point added. If we considered "playing video games" as a sport then why not the other activities that require practice and training to compete, but since I don't associate myself to those scenes I'll leave that to someone who cares to support that debate. :D

While I do see playing video games as not being a sport simply due to the fact that anyone could be classified as a athlete of video games. The topic of competitive gaming is what I feel is a sport. Following some of the professional atheletes of this sport I see the dedication, seriousness of each one of them. It is a big difference between the casual video gamer and the competitive gamer.

As an example I'll take a known sport of our area, football. Would we consider this a sport on many levels but would we consider those that play fantasy football as a sport? Do we consider those that toss the football around the yard to be an athlete of the sport? All depends on who it is?

Thank you once again for the comments. It is part of my research to see what the Big Country sees video gaming, competitive gaming as and how to attract gamers to competitions.

Where is the athleticism?

Bowling is a borderline sport...any less movement is definitely not a sport.