Addressing the ARGUMENT
By definition video Gaming is not a sport.
Logic is very evident in this point, which is very common in the argument in debate.org. When "the definition of sport" is searched using Google, the first result gives the dictionary definition of the word "sport." A sport is defined as "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment." The key word in this statement is the "and" between physical exertion and skill. Some games require skill, but none require physical exertion equal to what is required in a real sport.
VIDEO GAMES REQUIRE HAND MOVEMENTS, SO THEY SHOULD BE SPORTS.
This is one of the most popular points of the argument on debate.org. Are you serious? Moving your hands and fingers is by no means physically challenging. Many of those that say this are trying to convince themselves of a lie by going to the extreme. A sport constitutes legitimate physical activity, and so does being an athlete (as shown in the definitions of "athlete" and "sport"). Finger movement does not even compare to the amount of movement and physical exertion involved in a real sport (i.e. football, basketball, baseball, etc.)
It is a virtual world Vs. The real world.
Real sports take place in the real world, while video games take place in a made up world. A sport takes place on a real field, on a real court, or in a real arena. Yes, the gaming competitions take place in arenas, where the gamers are all in one place. However, the game itself is conducted on a computer or console, in a virtual world. The virtual world is not, and will not be the same as the physical world. The virtual world is modeled after places or things in the real world. So, without the sports,competitions, and events of the real world, the competitions and games in the virtual world would not even exist.
Well, I need to train for video games like how other athletes train for their sport.
Yes, it is true that professional gamers must practice their primary game often in order to stay at the top of their game. According to articles in The New York Times, many of the professional gamers spend most of their time practicing their games of choice, upwards of 10 hours a day (all week). However, this does not compare to the amount of work professional athletes (real ones) put into their sport. According to The Health Site, an average professional athlete trains 5 to 6 hours a day for 6 days a week. These real athletes have intense physical training, and must sharpen their minds for game play. Professional gamers may train for longer, but they do not train with the same intensity and rigor as a real professional athlete.
Real sports contain some Risk of Physical injury.
A real athlete always faces some risk level of sustaining an injury. This injury can be anything from a pulled groin to a broken bone to a concussion. This is an accepted fact in sports, and even adds to the excitement of the game for some athletes. Real athletes have to be able to tough out minor injuries and deal with the major injuries. What do professional gamers have to worry about? Sore fingers? A sore wrist? Tired eyes? Gamers are not put at any physical risk, unlike real athletes.
You can get an Athletic visa and scholarship to play video games for a college team.
At first, this seems like a joke. Why on earth would a college ever offer entry into the country and scholarship money for kids to play video games? It seems absurd that colleges even have video gaming teams, but an article in The New York Times shows both these things to be true. This is quite unfortunate, seeing that these so-called athletes and their so-called sport are able to take money away from real athletes and real sports in college. Semi-professional video gaming nerds have no right to take not just money, but opportunities away from true, hardworking and dedicated athletes.
In summation
Professional gamers will never be at the same level as a professional athlete. Real athletes play real sports, play in the real world. On the other hand, professional gamers play their games, not sports, in a virtual environment that is not equivalent to the real world. Gamers train in front of a screen with a keyboard and mouse or controllers. Athletes train in a gym with weights and other training equipment. Gamers are weak and hide behind their screens, while athletes are tough and face their problems face to face. It is not only ignorant to call video games sports and call video gamers athletes, it is also very offensive. This offends all the hardworking athletes and their sports, athletes that live and breath to play for their sport. In no way are video games sports and video gamers athletes nor will they ever be considered as such.
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