Is figure skating really a sport?

As we wait for the winter Olympics to open I wait with anticipation for the figure skating. There isn't a lot of sport that I like and mostly my partner and I go to the 'footie' which in Melbourne means Australian rules football. I love its fast pace, interactions and how all the action happens on the pitch and not the stands. The other sport that I love is the figure skating and really only get to enjoy it once every four years.

I can't ice-skate. This isn't me being modest. I really can't ice-skate. I have quite poor balance at the best of times and can trip over my own feet, a slight rise in the curb and many other things that others seem to manage effortlessly. As far as I know there is no particular problem except that somewhere along the line, I didn't learn how to balance very well. I did once try ice-skating and never managed to leave the side of the rink, where I held on as I edged round. Once round the rink was enough. But I love to watch it. This isn't a love of all things cold or the winter sports but a love of dance. I enjoy watching all sorts of dancing and gliding along on the ice adds another dimension and set of skills.

I love the interpretation of the music, the costumes and the amazing skills of the dancers. Whilst the singles is okay, it is the pairs dancing that I love the most. I am even willing to stay up later than 10pm to enjoy watching the pairs figure skating. The problem is this. I am the only one that enjoys it. There are members of my family, who will remain nameless but you know who you are, who say that it isn't a real sport. What is a real sport? Men pounding each other in a ring or seeing who can catch the biggest fish?

According to the dictionary it is 'an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.' In my opinion figure skating fulfils all the requirements to be a real sport, not that I need an excuse to watch and enjoy figure skating this year or any other. I will enjoy being able to share the definition of sport though. 

For fellow figure skating lovers, enjoy the next few weeks

love
Sarah