21 Dec 09
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR's dominant force, won the Associated Press Athlete of the Year award today.
Without undermining Johnson's impressive accomplishments in car racing, can we really call a driver/car racer an athlete? I have seen some arguments stating that these drivers must withstand a lot of pressure (G force) while racing at top speeds so they must be in good shape. Some argue that driving takes more conditioning than golfing.
What say you? What should be the criteria to define what an athlete is?
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21 Dec 09
Originally posted by darvlayseriously, i can only use F1 and rallying as proof but to be a professional in the sport you have to be fit just like any other 'athlete', plus you need a lot of the other attributes that sportsmen need to became a racing driver. sure they use a car, what's the difference between controlling a car and controlling a ball or puck?
Does anyone answer questions anymore?
21 Dec 09
Originally posted by darvlayThere used to be a program on TV with stars from each sport competing against each other in physical challenges.
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR's dominant force, won the Associated Press Athlete of the Year award today.
Without undermining Johnson's impressive accomplishments in car racing, can we really call a driver/car racer an athlete? I have seen some arguments stating that these drivers must withstand a lot of pressure (G force) while racing at top speeds so they m ...[text shortened]... ing than golfing.
What say you? What should be the criteria to define what an athlete is?
Needless to say the F1 drivers were as fit if not fitter than most sportsmen.
21 Dec 09
Originally posted by trev33Those are good points. To my knowledge, I don't know any unfit drivers. Then again, I don't watch the sport(s).
seriously, i can only use F1 and rallying as proof but to be a professional in the sport you have to be fit just like any other 'athlete', plus you need a lot of the other attributes that sportsmen need to became a racing driver. sure they use a car, what's the difference between controlling a car and controlling a ball or puck?
21 Dec 09
1 edit
Originally posted by trev33Actually there is a really big difference in controlling a car and controlling a ball or a puck, and I am quite suprised you don't understand that.
seriously, i can only use F1 and rallying as proof but to be a professional in the sport you have to be fit just like any other 'athlete', plus you need a lot of the other attributes that sportsmen need to became a racing driver. sure they use a car, what's the difference between controlling a car and controlling a ball or puck?
Yes A professional driver should be considered an athlete, in my opinion.
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21 Dec 09
Originally posted by darvlaydepends on your definition of an athlete.
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR's dominant force, won the Associated Press Athlete of the Year award today.
Without undermining Johnson's impressive accomplishments in car racing, can we really call a driver/car racer an athlete? I have seen some arguments stating that these drivers must withstand a lot of pressure (G force) while racing at top speeds so they m ...[text shortened]... ing than golfing.
What say you? What should be the criteria to define what an athlete is?
They compete - they race against each other in different disciplines (different tracks,etc)
They represent - a team and/or a nationality
They try to better records - Timing sheets, number of points (season for drivers, competitons for athletes)
To me a driver is an athlete
22 Dec 09
Originally posted by scacchipazzoThe guy who works in my stock room is a big, strong guy who lifts lots of heavy boxes all day
Most definitely a sport. Requires strength, fitness, great eye hand coordination, wonderful reflexes, stamina, ability to stand G forces. Those who have shook hands with Danika Patric say she has an iron grip. Can only imagine the strenght of the men!
long (strength, stamina). He operates a forklift too, which requires good hand-eye
coordination and reflexes when picking and maneuvering pallets from the high racks. Doesn't
withstand g-forces, but has to withstand poor air quality in the warehouse. Does this make
him an athlete?
Are pilots "athletes" because of the physical demands of their job? A bike messenger?
Construction worker? A guy working 12-hr shifts on an assembly line fitting parts that require
strength, hand-eye coordination, reflexes, stamina, etc.? Is the only reason they're not
because of the lack of entertaining competition?
I think everyone draws there line differently, but I say that race car drivers, though maybe
incredibly fit, are no more athletes that anyone else who has a job that requires physical
dexterity. Sportsmen? Sure. But not athletes. I'm not sure exactly where I'd draw my line,
though. If golfers are athletes, then are bowlers? If bowlers are athletes, then are dart
throwers?
I put race car drivers in the same category as race boat drivers, motorcycle racers, etc. Maybe
incredibly fit sportsmen, but not "athletes." I guess to me it has something to do with
whether or not the human body is more important to the sport than the technology being used
to generate power or the process of the game. How would the sport look if advanced
technology were taken out of the equation? Runners, ball players, gymnasts, boxers,
swimmers, etc are sports where the human body is at the heart of it. I think those are true
athletes. But I'm willing to be persuaded differently.