yoga as a competitive sport?

new delhi, india is planning to submit a pitch to host the 2020 olympic games...i just read an article about how the indian olympic association is trying to introduce yoga as an olympic sport, or at least a demonstration sport.

while i was reading this article, i was surprised to find out that there are worldwide yoga competitions in mexico and india already. what are the criteria for judging? who's more "enlightened?"

while i say that jokingly and understand that it's most likely based solely on posture, athleticism, steadiness in vinyasa flow and whatnot, i still feel that yoga is a terribly personal practice. the strongest and most flexible athlete can probably accomplish the most amazing asanas, but do they feel them? do they know what it's like to breathe life into their limbs? i'm not saying that my practice is more spiritual or ethereal than an athlete's or anyone else's for that matter (it's a personal thing, like i mentioned before). however, my goal is not to be the "best" in class...it's to feel right with myself, even if it's only for those 75 minutes. if they are spiritual practitioners before athletic competitors, i might feel different, but there's no way to know. 

in the article, bharat thakur, a popular indian yogi stated that "something so beautiful for one's inner peace shouldn't be turned competitive. this can only end up with people being misled." having yoga in the olympics will only boost the western idea that yoga is about seeking the ultimate physical ideal...support those that practice because their favorite bubble-headed celebrity does. i can't say that i didn't originally start yoga because of the physical benefits, but i'd like to think that i wasn't hopping on some bandwagon. but i suppose we'd all like to think that.