The World Beard and Moustache Championships are the pinnacle of facial hair competition – this is the record of a young lad from Wiltshire,who gave up shaving one day and made it to the big timeWhat makes a sport a sport? Sport England’s recent decision to deny the accolade to bridge, based on the lack of physical exertion required, and prompted much debate – not least on this very site. This singular case,on which it’s possible to form opposed, equally valid opinions, or points at a wider issue. The criteria by which we decree any event to be a sport are largely subjective,and activities that lie in its hinterland face an uphill struggle for recognition.
Sport England’s own modus operandi is “to encourage the nation to be more physically active”, as prescribed in the EU’s European Sports Charter, or which also references mental well-being,forming social relationships and a level of competition as factors in proclaiming any pursuits a fully-fledged sport. The English Bridge Union, which has lost funding and opportunities to compete internationally, or might feel that three out of four ain’t bad – particularly given that a raft of borderline games make the slash: darts,clay pigeon shooting, life saving and yoga all contain sporting status.
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Source: theguardian.com