DDT 2.29.08 - What makes an 'athlete'?

[we are cured]

are all sports stars athletes? are there sports without athletes? discuss.

[CubbyNick42]

I view NASCAR as a sport, but I don't think the drivers are athletes.

[preppyak]

ha, I'm the exact opposite, I view it as a very popular hobby, but think that many of the driver's are actually athletes...because I am aware of the G forces and stuff involved with the drivers

[Chris289]

I think NASCAR is a Motorsport which would be a form of sport but I don't think it's on the level of NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL. The drivers themselves, I think they are athletes due to the mental and physical demands they are put through during a race. The intense heat and G forces is also very high. I know a few years back the other open wheel series (not IRL but Champ Car) tried running at Texas Motor Speedway but they cancelled the race due to drivers actually pulling high G's and blacking out.

Sport: a form of
Athletes: yes

[looksthatkillbn]

nascar may or may not be a sport, but the drivers are definitely athletes

[preppyak]

nascar may or may not be a sport, but the drivers are definitely athletes
And "athlete" in the sense of golfers...where you get some who are genuinely jacked and prototypical...and some who look like a stepfather that beats you, but are actually physically fit.

[we are cured]

are golfers athletes?

if so, what about tim herron? if not, what about tiger woods? or are there just athletes that are golfers?

[nfggc10]

are golfers athletes?

if so, what about tim herron? if not, what about tiger woods? or are there just athletes that are golfers?Of course they are. And if you use the Tim Herron/John Daly argument I have to ask if the Cecil Fielder/David Wells types are athletes?

Edit: Tiger was a track star in high school by the way.

[preppyak]

I think golfers are athletes because you can apply the same logic as to why they succeed that you apply to NFL stars. An NFL player, like a golfer, who is out of shape and not mentally there, will not succeed (John Daly/Maurice Clarett)...whereas a person in peak physical and mental condition can be dominant (Randy Moss/Tiger Woods).

The comparisons are endless...I used the ones that hit my head, so they may have flaws...but taht the same logic exists makes them athletes to me. I can't say the same of a guy in a cubicle, because being in perfect physical condition does not necessarily qualify them to produce better reports.

[Killadelphia]

People in NASCAR may be athletes, but their athletic ability is not what helps them win their competition.

[MIKEY_HORROR]

Dedication
Determination
And
Natural abilities

Are three things I think you need to have in order to be thought of as an athlete.

I view an athlete as someone who not only has the "abilities", but as someone who is willing to sacrfice to better those abilties, and also strives to grow and be the best at what they do.

[S/T]

nascar may or may not be a sport, but the drivers are definitely athletes

Meh, I don't know. I know it's intense being in those things, but it seems to me it's more like drinking in that you have to build up a tolerance for it more than it is like improving a skill where you're training for it. Tony Stewart would be my example.

[S/T]

Dedication
Determination
And
Natural abilities

Are three things I think you need to have in order to be thought of as an athlete.

I view an athlete as someone who not only has the "abilities", but as someone who is willing to sacrfice to better those abilties, and also strives to grow and be the best at what they do.

I don't know about 'natural abilities'. I know lots of people that you could've stuck out on a field/court a few years ago and they would've looked like morons, but they've dedicated themselves to becoming athletes. Maybe natural potential.

[PunkVideoGuys]

i don't consider nascar, golf, or bowling sports. You don't have to run, or jump or anything, I just consider them as someone said earlier skilled hobbies.

Now, you may bring up tiger woods, he may be an exception just because he does train year round, but in general, i don't look at 99% of golfers and think "athlete"

[PunkVideoGuys]

People in NASCAR may be athletes, but their athletic ability is not what helps them win their competition.

said very well.

[salmarnirecho]

Athlete is a completely relative term, I don't think you can define who is and is not an athlete by the sport they play.

[nfggc10]

i don't consider nascar, golf, or bowling sports. You don't have to run, or jump or anything, I just consider them as someone said earlier skilled hobbies.

Now, you may bring up tiger woods, he may be an exception just because he does train year round, but in general, i don't look at 99% of golfers and think "athlete"You can basically say the same things about pitchers in the AL. The most they ever have to "run" is to cover a bag maybe once a game or back up a guy on an incoming throw. And remember golfers have walk 6 or 7 miles during the course of a normal tournament day.

[Killadelphia]

i don't consider nascar, golf, or bowling sports. You don't have to run, or jump or anything, I just consider them as someone said earlier skilled hobbies.

Now, you may bring up tiger woods, he may be an exception just because he does train year round, but in general, i don't look at 99% of golfers and think "athlete"

Totally disagree. Like the one guy said, you can't say all players in a said sport are athletes and all people in a said "hobby" are not athletes.

Golf and bowling are sports though because it involves a specific talent and physical capability to do the said action in the sport. In golf, you need good balance, strong forearms, and good hand-eye coordination. Your physical ability is what distinguishes you from the rest of your competition.

Just because you don't need physical endurance it does not mean you're not an athlete. Sure there more athletic sports, but they're still sports.

Some athletes exist in Nascar, but like I said the actual aspect of the Nascar is a large majority of what makes you go is the engine in the car.