Are 'sports' that are not team oriented, really sports?

By that measurement, football and basketball also do not qualify as sports, because it could be argued that the referees calls are also subjective to the opinions of the individual referee. The same could be said for baseball and the calls by the umpires and such. Considering the fact that gymnastics and figure skating are both Olympic Events, I would have to venture that your son is in error in his analysis.

Smack that boy about the head and shoulders for dissing my two favorite SPORTS. lol Well he is right that part of gymnastics and skating judging is subjective. But look at the dictionary definiton of sport: sport (spôrt, sprt) n. 1. a. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. b. A particular form of this activity. 2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively. 3. An active pastime; recreation. I think that both figure skating and gymnastics fit the definition. Just because the judging of each sport contains rules that allow a certain amount of subjectivity, personal taste, whatever, does not exclude them from being sports. Or would you say that baseball isn't a sport because an entire game can hinge on what an umpire saw vs. what actually happened?

I partially agree with both of you .Most of them watch the team sports for excitement , excitement that comes from the competition or you can all it a fight.IN ice skating and gymnastics you practice and practice for perfection .. Yes you can compete with yourself..But actually it can be perfect.Thinks bore if they are perfect..thats your sons perspective.

Has your son ever watched such sports as swimming, track and field or cross-country skiing? None of them are team sports (except for the rally and for some ski and running competitions where there are teams), yet the athletic skills and the effort are extremely high. How about he runs the marathon and tell you if he considers it a sport afterwards...

It should be called sports since you compete for a better score. Having a better score means performing better and outmatching the difficulty and creativity of others and that certainly is a strength. And what's fun about these sports is that it combines creativity that is so evident and the competitiveness.