The "easiest" sport to be the best at
Discussion
So, watching olympics and thinking how great it is that not many countries seem to be in to that rowing malarkey hence our impressive medal collection.
Made me wonder, if you were going to take
Firstly, I'm not belittling any sports - to be the best in any sport you've got to work hard - but there are certain factors which make some sports statistically easier than others to reach the very top.
It needs to be a sport not played everywhere (to minimise the competition), preferably one that requires expensive equipment (which limits it to the richer populations) and that is largely self funded. Team sports give more opportunities as you can be part of a winning team.
So far though my money would be on an equestrian event or perhaps fencing. As far as I can tell there are about 250,000 registered fencers in the world. Small playing population, a very limited amount of "professional" fencers, expense of equipment, low prize money incentive, etc. Statistically this has got to be a good choice right?
Made me wonder, if you were going to take
- 1 child
- 1 giant pot of money
Firstly, I'm not belittling any sports - to be the best in any sport you've got to work hard - but there are certain factors which make some sports statistically easier than others to reach the very top.
It needs to be a sport not played everywhere (to minimise the competition), preferably one that requires expensive equipment (which limits it to the richer populations) and that is largely self funded. Team sports give more opportunities as you can be part of a winning team.
So far though my money would be on an equestrian event or perhaps fencing. As far as I can tell there are about 250,000 registered fencers in the world. Small playing population, a very limited amount of "professional" fencers, expense of equipment, low prize money incentive, etc. Statistically this has got to be a good choice right?
bertieg said:
table tennis? plenty of people play it, yet ive never heard of a single person who plays it seriously/competitively
I think there's some bloke in China who takes it fairly seriously.The easiest sport is one you don't know that much about. I took up badminton to be around girls in ultra short skirts but the sport got to me. The team I played for got promoted, then got promoted as champions. I was then 'managing' the team and we were so good I couldn't get a game unless someone was injured. What looks like a sport anyone can do gets really difficult once you get competative. Goes for all sports.
Darkslider said:
Not Olympics but I've always thought all forms of motorsport require rich parents at an early age. Look at any pro motogp rider/F1 driver, they were all chucked into karts/mini moto racing when they were 5 years old.
Agreed, imagine how much the quality pool would improve if motorsport was available to all.On the flipside football is one of the hardest to be top dog at, virtually every kid at every school plays at some point and its played in almost every country. 265 million players, ability for most nations to train every day (only need a ball), huge scouting network so most "decent" players will get trials.
Back on track, I guess sailing is fairly exclusive - need to live by the sea for starters
bertieg said:
table tennis? plenty of people play it, yet ive never heard of a single person who plays it seriously/competitively
joking right? RIGHT?Plenty of people play it, just not like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ludlWEnTVs&fea...
Just been watching the men's walking race. That has to be a contender.
ETA
Just had a conversation with the O/H who held national junior records in a non-Olympics event and she reckons it has to be an event that doesn't depend on outstanding physical fitness. She reckons equestrian 'cos she once rode a seaside donkey...
ETA
Just had a conversation with the O/H who held national junior records in a non-Olympics event and she reckons it has to be an event that doesn't depend on outstanding physical fitness. She reckons equestrian 'cos she once rode a seaside donkey...
Edited by Riley Blue on Sunday 5th August 10:11
Rowing isn't something that you can just be good at. Like any sport that is massively physically demanding, you need to have the right genes and body type to get to the top of it.
10 meter air pistol is something I think anyone could get to the top of given time and interest assuming they had decent eyesight.
10 meter air pistol is something I think anyone could get to the top of given time and interest assuming they had decent eyesight.
fair enough I guess. 10000hrs will see you at the top of any sport imho though.shooting has to be there as does archery - but costs would be quite a bit with all the specialist gear
being a typical PH'r and not knowing anything about it i'm going to say things that involve horses and jumping - some Eton education may be required
aside from them didnt that ex-pro footballer qualify for the olympics 100m in 6 months?
see it may be worth while doing this for 2016 - get a free holiday to brazil out of it...
being a typical PH'r and not knowing anything about it i'm going to say things that involve horses and jumping - some Eton education may be required
aside from them didnt that ex-pro footballer qualify for the olympics 100m in 6 months?
see it may be worth while doing this for 2016 - get a free holiday to brazil out of it...
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