Why do people claim ping-pong is a sport when its not athletic?

Question

History of Ping Pong
 Many people hold the wrong notion that table tennis originated in China, because the Chinese name ping pong is also used for the sport and because ...
more hits from: http://www.tabletennismaster.com/history-of-ping-pong.html  -  12 KB
Why do people claim Ping-pong is a sport? It's not athletic, and doesn't require strength! Someone on the defunct No Homers Club page claimed its stupid to be in the Olympics, since its a recreation, and said it's just like trampolining. The person also said if ping pong (the person called it the oxymoronic table tennis) is in the Olympics, why not Playstation? Now even Bowlers want bowling in the Oympics! Ping Pong is the second stupidest thing in the Olympics. Child athletes are the first.

Answer 1

Who said ping pong isn't athletic? Haven't you ever seen Forest Gump?!

Answer 2

Ping pong is a sport and its not restricted to asians. There are africans who play really well.

Answer 3

it is a sport because it is competitive, requires great skill,concetration and body control. those guys sweat it has some athleticism, you gotta move fast in tournament table tennis. there are many sports where athleticism isnt greatly present, nascar for example, takes a toll on the arms and hands but really isnt too physicaly demanding, and this is a sport where the machine is performing more, but the driver must have great skill and its competitive, thus making it a sport. and table tennis is the proper term.

Answer 4

did you know rock paper scissors is an official sport in parts of the world yeaa even ping pong beats that