| Abstract: | Abstract Truths of sport seem to admit a certainty that is not to be found in other domains. I offer a diagnosis of this phenomenon. Awards in sport have a performative force: the making of an award thereby deems that it so. There are other elements, however, that have equal importance. There is an epistemic element in that umpire or referee must make a judgement about the award. This must be based on the metaphysical element, which is some fact or state of affairs in the world. Such a tripartite account allows that referees can make mistakes or that they can deliberately make an unjustified award. Because such awards are performatives, however, such facts about sport will not typically admit rational doubt. |
