Something has been on my mind for quite some time now, and I feel it’s time to fork the problem over to all of you so I don’t have to deal with it anymore. I am referring to the age-old question, or I guess, month-old question of whether or not curling a) belongs in the Olympic Games and b) is or is not a sport. I know. It’s a hot topic right now, and many of you may feel that I’m trying to be “hip” or “trendy” by writing a column about it. For those people, I think there is a bigger problem, and that is the fact that you think curling is either “hip” or “trendy.” Bigger fish to fry here, but I will not get into that.

Regardless, the topic of curling has become much-debated, with both sides coming out in full force for their respective positions. Know this: there are no middle-grounders here. A side must be chosen, just like when you chose Justin or J.C. or Britney or Christina (or God help you, Mandy Moore or Jessica Simpson). Along with J.C., and Christina (not to be confused with her X-tina phase), I choose to take the position that curling does belong in the Olympics and that it can be considered a sport — or at least a game — that belongs in the “Winter Games.”

I’ve had enough of the people that believe that they are original or funny by putting down curling and the people who play it. No, you are not funny when you make the hilarious comment that “my mom is good at sweeping, she should try out for the team.” First, that is wrong on so many levels. If your mother knew you said that — and if she was a first-rate curler — your behind would be swept out of the house before you could even say “curling brush.” Informational snippet: a curling brush is the glorified name for the household broom they use to polish the ice.

The fact of the matter is, curling involves intense mental effort and physical action. It pits one team against another, and the goal is to garner as many points possible in the allotted time. There is equipment, there are rules and there are individual and team objectives. Sounds quite similar to any other team sport, right? Let’s face it — curling is at its core a form of bowling, but in a squatting position. Last I checked bowling is a sport with its own league and set of “athletes” and “superstars.”

Even poker, a card game, is a spectator sport and they are sitting down the entire time. No physical exertion, except for the walk of shame on the way out, or the geeky leap when the bespectacled winner takes the tournament. And do not even get me started on the sport of NASCAR, which is driving a car, albeit at insanely high speeds. I am more likely to understand NASCAR’s grouping in sports than I am poker or bowling, even though I personally feel that I have hit higher speeds in my Honda CR-V.

The point I am trying to make here is to let it go. Curling is here to stay, and as long as it is in the Winter Olympics, as it should be, it will be considered a sport. These Winter Olympics provided the coverage that curling needs to break out into the realm of sports, and into the minds of nations. Also, Wikipedia refers to curling as a sport as well, so it’s as good as gold.

Print