Well, Mrs Weggis likes fireworks. But apart from that the opening of the 2008 Olympics has been underwhelming. My eye has been on the 4th Test at the Oval.
It’s the Olympic Games, but is marketed as Sport. But what is Sport? What is the difference between Sport and a Game?
Some while ago I was in the pub [no surprise there] with my mate Dave talking Bx while waiting for the big match to start. The mighty Spurs [they might or more likely might not] were about to take on Portsmouth. We were discussing Golf. Is it a game or a sport? Not a good subject to discuss in The Fairways with ardent golf fanatics listening in.
Anyway, we were toying with the idea that Sport should involve some physical exertion, so chess, draughts, ludo, monopoly were all games. But the Olympic games involve running, jumping and stuff so we got ourselves into a tangle.
Then we considered things like synchronised swimming. We both agreed that any "event" that involved "judges" was neither Sport nor a Game. While I quite like watching ice skating etc it’s not for the competitive angle. If you run faster, jump higher or longer, score more [or in the case of Golf less] points, goals, runs, whatever than your competitors you win. Period. "Artistic technique" is not a material factor. You do not have to be pretty or technically gifted to be a champion; it helps but history is littered with those who desire the prize more than others. You just have to win, the margin is irrelevant.
Now I’m wondering how all this relates to the Green Party Leadership contest?
Actually, judges were involved in the ancient Olympics. It wasn't enough to be first past the winning post, you had to win with style!
ReplyDeleteBy-the-way, the penalty for a false start was a whipping.
As my mum used to say "the old ways are the best".
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