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[Syt]

In Spanish physical exertion is pretty much a requirement for something being a sport. "Hacer deporte" means both to practice a sport and to just exercise, without any kind of competitive element.

Might be different for anglos.

Same in German. "Sport machen" (literally "make sports") means to physically exercise.

[Grey Fox]

If someone wants to cheat at it to win, than it's sport.

Exams?

You don't win exams. 

[Grey Fox]

If someone wants to cheat at it to win, than it's sport.

People cheat at poker, it doesn't make it a sport.

It does!

[Sheilbh]

In Spanish physical exertion is pretty much a requirement for something being a sport. "Hacer deporte" means both to practice a sport and to just exercise, without any kind of competitive element.

Might be different for anglos.

Same in German. "Sport machen" (literally "make sports") means to physically exercise.

I think in English the word is more associated with rules, almost ethics and way of behaving than exercise necessarily: to be sporting, to display sportsmanship, to be a good sport. Also hence the development of "sports" such as darts, snooker, pool, lawn bowls or even modern things like e-sports.

Interesting that the contrast to sportsmanship is probably gamesmanship which is taking advantage of rules to gain an unfair advantage, to almost go against the spirit of the "sport", or gaming the system. Which is maybe why I kind of resist darts or snooker being games - games are more casual, less serious and don't have that sort of almost ethical component.

[Duque de Bragança]

If someone wants to cheat at it to win, than it's sport.

Exams?

You don't win exams. 

Yet there are competitive exams or examinations, not exams stricto sensu.
(examens et concours).

[Barrister]

I think for something to be a sport it has to involve some level of physical skill.  So darts, or pool, (or curling or golf), may not get you all hot and sweaty, but definitely require skill.  That is distinct from card games like poker, or chess, which are purely mental.

E-sports are kind of on the edge, but thinking about them they do require skill so I guess they count after all.

[crazy canuck]

I think for something to be a sport it has to involve some level of physical skill.  So darts, or pool, (or curling or golf), may not get you all hot and sweaty, but definitely require skill.  That is distinct from card games like poker, or chess, which are purely mental.

E-sports are kind of on the edge, but thinking about them they do require skill so I guess they count after all.

I am not sure you can separate something that is mentally demanding from the physical realm so easily.

For example, if you have played poker against a skilled player, the physical skills involved in the bluff are obvious after you know it was a bluff.

[Grey Fox]

If someone wants to cheat at it to win, than it's sport.

Exams?

You don't win exams. 

Yet there are competitive exams or examinations, not exams stricto sensu.
(examens et concours).

Then, sports!

I subscribe to Sheibh's theory that codifying[codified] rules is what makes a game a sport.

Also why for the British the advent of professionals was so contentious.

[The Brain]

EA says sports is a subset of game.

[DGuller]

For example, if you have played poker against a skilled player, the physical skills involved in the bluff are obvious after you know it was a bluff.

What are those physical skills?

[Iormlund]

For the same token, I'd say that "motor sports" are not really sports either.

What's wrong with motor sports? If you think they are not physically demanding I suggest a simple test. Strap on a heart rate monitor and go-kart with your friends for half an hour. Then tell me what your body thought of that.

[Barrister]

They're not my cup of tea, but motor sports are absolutely sports.  I understand it's very physically demanding to be behind the wheel.

[DGuller]

They're not my cup of tea, but motor sports are absolutely sports.  I understand it's very physically demanding to be behind the wheel.

You can make a distinction between sports that require physical fitness in order to perform at your peak, and sports where performance directly depends on physical attributes.  In the first category, most everyone can get fit enough to the point that it's no longer a factor in performance.  In the second category, you may just be out of luck if you didn't win the genetic lottery.  Motorsports is probably somewhere in the middle; some physical demands are merely fitness-related, but then things like reaction times and spatial awareness you're born with.  Poker and chess are probably solidly in the first category.

[The Larch]

My beef with motor sports (besides the fact that they're atrociously boring) is that success many times is far too dependent on the mechanical side rather than in the skill side. Gear will always have an effect, but in this case it's way too much. I believe some competitions make participants all use the same kind of vehicle, I see that as much more egalitarian, so to speak. I know they require a level of physical skill, fitness and extertion, but I doubt it's a real deal-breaker for success (setting myself up for failure here  ).

[Grey Fox]

I will keep ignoring the Cycling lover hatred for motorsports. I will keep ignoring the Cycling lover hatred for motorsports.I will keep ignoring the Cycling lover hatred for motorsports.I will keep ignoring the Cycling lover hatred for motorsports.I will keep ignoring the Cycling lover hatred for motorsports.