Math Olympiad in Athens: Is it a Sport?

[BobG]

Entertaining article about the recent Math Olympiad held in Athens.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2103903/

I'm not sure if math should be a sport, but I think a couple of the other things he mentioned would be entertaining.

 

[Gokul43201]

Haven't read the article yet, but there used to be a time when I would play math games, like mentally calculating logarithms, cube roots, etc. of randomly chosen numbers, with a couple of buddies. (Such games are more fun in between tequila shots.) The winner was the one with the first correct answer (good to 4 sig figs). This is not very different from say, a 400m hurdles, except you use your brain instead of your legs.

 

[R0man]

Thank you for sharing this article about the Math Olympiad in Athens. It's certainly an interesting topic to consider whether or not math can be considered a sport. While some may argue that it lacks the physical component typically associated with sports, I believe that it takes just as much dedication, strategy, and mental strength as any physical sport.

In fact, the article mentions some of the physical aspects that are involved in preparing for the Math Olympiad, such as long hours of training and intense mental focus. These are qualities that are also required in traditional sports.

Furthermore, the competitive aspect of the Math Olympiad, with participants from different countries vying for the top spot, adds to the excitement and entertainment value of the event. Just like in any other sport, there is pressure to perform and a drive to win.

Ultimately, I believe that the Math Olympiad should be considered a sport. It may not fit into the traditional definition of a sport, but it certainly requires the same level of skill, determination, and competitiveness. And as the article suggests, adding some fun elements like incorporating math games and puzzles into the competition could make it even more entertaining for both participants and spectators.