Is Math A Sport?

theodp writes "The close of the International Mathematical Olympiad prompts Slate to question if math is a sport, wondering if mathletes might someday compete in the Olympics alongside track stars and basketball players."

Comments

Math is not a sport...

[John Seminal]

I don't think something is a sport unless there is some physical activity involved. Unless you are activly doing something with your body, and it is against someone else, then it is not a sport.

That is why I would classify something like ping pong as a sport. You have an opponent and you have to use your body to win. You move your legs to get you in place to make a shot, and you use your hands to add touch to the shot.

Math is not a sport. And you can't really have an oponent the way you can in real sports. How is the opponent going to stop you? In football cornerbacks try and stop wide recievers. In basketball people are gaurded. In baseball the pitcher trys to make you miss the pitch. What can your opponent do do in math? Nothing. Chess might be more arguable because the opponent can make moves to open up traps for you.