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Originally Posted by EricH
Now, something to consider: Is weightlifting a sport? Yes. OK, then we lift heavy weights, whether they are tools or robots. Is track a sport? Yes. Have you never seen a team racing to get on the field and set up? How about NASCAR? It's considered a sport, right? We are more physical and use more strategy than NASCAR. So, FIRST could most certainly be a sport.
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Now, that's exactly what I'm talking about detracting from what athletes do. Weightlifters have to be in near-perfect physical condition. Maybe I'm not a "normal" FIRST participant, but I don't consider anything in our robotics room heavy. I mean, not heavy enough that I'd need to train constantly to lift it. Comparing running onto the field to track? I run when it's raining outside to not get wet, am I suddenly just the same as a track star? NASCAR is the only viable comparison, and while I don't consider it a sport either, I would say it is moreso than FIRST. Why? Contrary to your post, between the maintainance of the car, the fuel conservation, the driving techniques, the skill it takes to drive at those speeds, the considerations that the drivers have to take (surface, temperature, weather, etc), and everything else, FIRST doesn't even compare. FIRST could be a little brother to NASCAR, with the idea of drivers, pit crews, constant maintanance during competition, etc, but couldn't be considered "superior" by any means. All in all, by calling FIRST a sport, you're trivializing what real athletes have to do, just as someone saying that building your robot is easy trivializes the hard work you have to go through for FIRST.