Chess, bridge, billiards, power-boating, hot-air ballooning, flying an airplane, and dancing are among several activities that have been recognized by the International Olympic Committee as being a “sport.” But so far, none are part of the Olympic Games.
From olympic.org:
If it is widely practised around the world and meets a number of criteria established by the IOC session, a recognised sport may be added to the Olympic programme on the recommendation of the IOC’s Olympic Programme Commission.
It’s high time that photography be recognized as a sport. It could even be in both the winter and summer games.
Photography is certainly widely-practised. It is one of the very few sports that can be played and enjoyed by people of any age, weight, height or sex, able-bodied or not.
Photography Requirements
Like many sports, photography requires skill and talent, along with physical and mental strength. Also like some sports, it can demand a healthy bank account to buy all the equipment necessary to fully compete in photography.
Photography requires not just technical excellence but also a creative flair, similar to the sports of figure skating and synchronized swimming.
Being artistic and maintaining a certain level of photographic technical expertise, while juggling several camera bodies and long lenses, is not unlike the sport of rhythmic gymnastics.
Going through the day carrying 40-lbs of camera gear, a backpack filled with computer equipment, and dragging a few cases of lighting equipment, certainly makes the sport of weightlifting look easy. In that sport, the athletes only have to lift a weight for a few seconds.
Racing through traffic to assignments, finding a parking spot, setting up and shooting the event, tearing down, and then rushing to edit and transmit before deadline, could qualify as a very modern pentathlon. Points would be earned not just for speed but also for technical accuracy, creative style, and how close the parking spot is.
Outdoor Photography
The biathlon requires competitors to ski a bit and then lay on the ground to shoot. Sailing competitors sit on a boat and get wet. Fencing athletes try to avoid getting poked by a little saber. Easy!
Outdoor photographers carry camera gear, tripod and survival gear while trekking, snowshoeing or skiing through wind, rain, snow or ice, up and down the side of mountains, through rivers and swamps, or across deserts.
News photographers work through rain, snow, tear gas or pepper spray. They will lay on the ground, (snow, mud, or water), climb 6-storey-high fire ladders, lean off bridges, hang from an open helicopter door, ride backwards on a speeding motorcycle, or climb to the top of a building still under construction. During demonstrations, they will try to avoid getting hit by rocks, bottles, rubber bullets and water cannons, while still making photographs with some creativity.
Combat photographers do all of the above while trying not to get shot.
Wedding photographers have to deal with the mother of the bride.
So, should photography be the next Olympic sport?
