A list like this really should take into account the level of competition to reach the top level, meaning the ratio of people seriously trying to reach the top vs. the amount of people that can get there.
Because you really only need to be as good or better than the competition in your sport, no matter the sport itself.
That's why I don't agree that hockey is more difficult than soccer. Sure, you can argue that hockey is physically more demanding (for example), but you only need to be better than most other hockey players to reach the NHL, not better than most athletes in general.
By the same logic, I'd say that winning a marathon is harder than winning in triathlon, and thus marathon is actually a more demanding sport. You have to have an even more optimal combinatio of fitness, speed and analytical aptitude (pacing) to win.
I saw a list like based only on that ratio something like 10-15 years ago, and it had I think soccer and ballet at the top. (Obviously that list didn't only include sports.)
|