Why is speed important in a sport?

Answer 1

Validation.

The first word that comes to any synchronized skater's mind when asked about the possibility of his or her sport finally being recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

We, as synchronized skaters, define ourselves as athletes -- or, more technically, as people who compete in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed and/or endurance. But since certain sports are held in higher regard than others, and because synchronized skating is not a traditional, mainstream sport like soccer, football, hockey or Basketball, it gets overlooked, or written off entirely. To even admit we're athletes is hard for a lot of people.

Even within the figure skating community, there's a feeling that synchronized skating is "less" a part of the sport than the other four disciplines. There's often a stereotype that skaters join synchro teams because they "can't jump" or "they just want to qualify for nationals." People with this point of view don't realize the unique challenges inherent in synchronized skating. Recognition from the IOC would help quell these feelings and affirm synchro's legitimacy within the greater figure skating community.

If synchronized skating is finally recognized by the IOC and included in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, it will give validation to all the blood, sweat, tears and time we've put into this sport. Teachers, colleagues and friends will not only come to recognize the sport -- they will learn to respect us as athletes. We will no longer have to describe our sport as the Radio City Rockettes or synchronized swimming on ice, because the general public will see firsthand the unique intricacies and athleticism our sport entails. And they will see it on the biggest possible stage in amateur athletics.

Figure skating fans will recognize many components of synchronized skating from other skating disciplines, but they will also observe a new, three-dimensional layer that comes with performing as a team of 16. At any given time, skaters have a teammate on either side of, in front of and behind them. Synchronized skaters aren't just expected to perform the same quality of deep edges and sharp turns as athletes in other disciplines; they are also expected to track multiple teammates in order to maintain choreographed shape, spacing and positioning, as well as match all arm and free leg positions. The beauty of synchronized skating is in our numbers; it is in the precision of performing intricate footwork and lifts, mirrored by 16 athletes.

It's every young athlete's dream to compete at the Olympics. For synchronized skaters, attaining that dream has never been possible. Despite that, we all willingly become synchronized skaters because we have a passion for the sport. We hope that one day Olympic competition will become a reality, but our main focus is to make it as far as we can, train as hard as we can, qualify for the world championships and prove that we are worthy. We let the skating do the talking.

This sentiment is echoed in the new Under Armour campaign -- I Will What I Want -- where we see images of Misty Copeland, Lindsey Vonn and even Gisele Bundchen training determinedly through discouragement and criticism. They will what they want. Despite the negativity and doubt they face on a regular basis, these women, these athletes, prove their strength and athleticism. Look at Misty Copeland's calves and try to tell her she's not an athlete. Watch a senior-level synchronized skating team perform interlocking circles at high speed or a balancing, rotating group lift and try to tell them they aren't athletes. We will what we want. We are worthy.

As we look to the future of our sport, the best thing that we can do is continue training with dedication. We need to ensure that the quality of every edge, turn, spin and lift is Olympic quality. We must showcase athleticism to the highest degree, so when the IOC is watching, it will have no choice but to be thoroughly impressed.

Creativity and innovation in choreography are also of utmost importance. Coaches and choreographers need to focus not just on the required elements but the flow of each program. Unique transitions, variations in step sequences and musical interpretation are key. Rule changes for this season have aided in this effort. Choreographers now have options when selecting elements to fulfill level requirements. With these additional freedoms, programs will take on a more one-of-a-kind look and feel.

Synchronized skating first implemented the international judging system (IJS) almost 10 years ago in an effort to provide a more concrete, and less political and subjective way to evaluate a team's performance. Adopting the IJS took away some of the flexibility coaches and choreographers had under the 6.0 system, however, forcing teams to perform cookie-cutter programs to fulfill requirements in an attempt to make judging more objective. While technical demands and the difficulty level of the sport have increased, we have been challenged to find the right balance between the artistry and interpretation of the 6.0 system and the technique of the IJS -- just as they have in singles, pairs and ice dance. The sport has grown and developed each year under the guidance of the ISU and figure skating governing bodies around the world, and we should be proud of how far we have come.

The ISU has officially proposed the inclusion of synchronized skating to the IOC for the 2018 Winter Olympics. This step alone provides a huge sense of validation for the synchronized skating community. Even if it doesn't happen this cycle, we have gained respect from many of our peers and generated awareness across the globe. In less than 60 years, we have developed from a group of women thrown together to perform during hockey games to a discipline that is ready to complete at the Olympic Games. We are athletes, and we will compete with dedication and determination at every level.

Answer 2

Skateboarding is a sport because its an activity that allows the participant to show creativity and freedom. It might be painful but if you like the thrill you wont be able to stop.