If figure skating, golf, and NASCAR are considered sports why isn't dance?

Question:In general, to be a sport something should either need a huge amount of skill or a very high level of fitness. Golf may not be that physically demanding but it needs a lot of skill, while running may not need skill but you have to be in great shape. Most sports are somewhere in between. So why doesn't anyone count dance as a sport when it demands both at huge levels? Beats me.

But hey, you still have the upper hand. We can just tell ourselves that dance has higher aims- it's not about scores or petty competition, it's about art and beauty :) We may not get as much respect from most people but we know what counts

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: In general, to be a sport something should either need a huge amount of skill or a very high level of fitness. Golf may not be that physically demanding but it needs a lot of skill, while running may not need skill but you have to be in great shape. Most sports are somewhere in between. So why doesn't anyone count dance as a sport when it demands both at huge levels? Beats me.

But hey, you still have the upper hand. We can just tell ourselves that dance has higher aims- it's not about scores or petty competition, it's about art and beauty :) We may not get as much respect from most people but we know what counts

I think anything that raises your heart rate is a sport which is why I don't agree that NASCAR is a sport. Anyone who has ever danced professionally or in a structured class would know that dance is a lot more than just jumping around in tutus. It's definately grueling work, it's just starting to gain respect at our school because the boy's football and ice hockey teams were required to do a week of extensive ballet before their season for balance and agility and they said it was one of the hardest things they've done so in my opinion it's definately a sport.

Lindsay

it is. there are dance teams arent there? they go to compititions dont they? the compete with other teams dont they? it is a sport. technically, any way.

I think dance should be a sport. You need to be strong to do it and it can be competivly.

Most 'sports' are easier to judge the winners than something like dance or, notoriously, figure skating. Someone crosses the line first, scores, etc...dance is subjective, and though it is going on trial as an Olympic sport, will have problems because of the subjectivity. Figure skating has had many instances of the 'wrong team' winning because of politics, etc, which does not happen in soccor or racing.
Dance also is notorious for politics and personal feelings interfering with the real judging.