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Parkour as an Olympic sport?

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     olympics, paris, parkour, Running

News that Johnny ‘Sticky’ Budden is running from Paris to John O’Groats (1000 miles) is hardly a press stopper. But to hear that he is using the route as a Parkour course is: Hardcore Parkour.

Not only is the new street sport finding its footing here in the UK, its reach could stretch further still. Ask yourself: If BMX made the Olympics, why not Parkour?
OK, jump back: What’s Parkour? Born out of Paris, Parkour is sometimes better known as free running. It involves running on the street, through the street, and over whatever obstacle is set in front of you.

In one moment it is a means of getting from A to B, in another, it is urban gymnastics, with a stuntman twist. No safety rope, no beam or rings. Instead, there are poles, ledges and concrete steps, and drops – some of them frighteningly high.
If you are not convinced of the validity of such a sport or the physical preparedness needed for such a ‘yoof’ endeavour, think again. Mr Johnny ‘Sticky’ Budden is documenting the build up to his run – his training regime reveals all.

On his first day (April 17) Johnny will kick-off (or jump-off, perhaps) with an ultra-marathon (100 miles). From here, his route will take him through the countryside as well as urban centres and all for charity, too.

So could it make the Olympic grade? In terms of ‘Olympian effort’, I say yes. It would need standardisation and much refining, but why not?

However, for many, it may prove a step too far: too distant from original Olympic sports. Personally, I say let’s have it as a demonstration sport at the 2016 games.
To follow JSB’s progress, and his efforts to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, have a look here, then come back and tell us your views.

Parkour as an Olympic sport?

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 170 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

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13 Comments to “Parkour as an Olympic sport?”

• 

  Barry He March 29, 2010 at 2:19 pm

  Distancing itself from the original sports? Parkour is one of the most primeval ancient sports that we all did before modern civilisation, running, jumping and climbing through our enviroment isnt something new, its something thats been lost .

  Good idea! Anything that gives our discipline gains more recognition is a good thing
• 

  Jean March 29, 2010 at 2:26 pm

  no way. PArkour is meant as a discipline of self-improvement, health and personal growth. Turning it into an olympic competition would not only break most of these values, People would start doing dangerous things focusing on beating another person, jumping from higher places, and endangering themselves for no reason.. Or for a superfluous, empty reason.

  I suggest you read the “Parkour against competition” manifest. http://anonymousninjas.multiply.com/journal/item/1/PRO_Parkour_Against_Competition_by_Hebertiste_TK17_of_parkour.net
• 

  Mark Pawlak March 29, 2010 at 2:49 pm

  Jean,

  Ok well put. But I think the “does not belong to corporations, sponsors, medias” part of the manifesto has been ignored.

  The trade off is exposure and getting more people into sport, health, fitness and community, which is all good.

  When you watch Olympic gymnastics, they often have set moves they have to complete, and it’s the style and delivery, and fluency that get marked, not how high they go. Interesting stuff, that manifesto, thanks for posting.
• 

  Jacob March 29, 2010 at 3:08 pm

  saw street-running, i lol’d. Get the facts right, then i’ll listen.
• 

  Tim B March 29, 2010 at 3:40 pm

  Hey Jacob,

  I can see you’re protective over your sport and that’s cool. I guess you are in the camp of not wanting Parkour in the Olympics? Maybe it would get more recognition and people would stop calling in Street Running?
• 

  Luke March 29, 2010 at 4:11 pm

  Perhaps a new sport will evolve that mixes parkour with the steeplechase. So a lap around a track with a number of obstacles to overcome as a time trial a or even racing head to head like the boarder cross…..

  It takes away a little of the aesthetic value so perhaps there could also be a set routine version with scores for difficulty and execution as in other Olympic sports. In fact I am sure I saw something along these lines on TV recently.
• 

  Philip March 29, 2010 at 11:41 pm

  If it eliminates authoritative opposition to the public practice of parkour (practicing it on the street, not in a park where it is “allowed”), then I am for it.
• 

  Mark Pawlak March 30, 2010 at 3:00 am

  Jacob’s got a point here, although it does sometimes get called ‘street running’ as well as ‘free running’. It’s not really about the ‘facts’, or listening to anyone telling others what something ‘is’ all about. Have you seen what JSB is up to? If he pulls it off, plenty more people will be talking about this. Do you take free running as simply a British interpretation of Parkour? In fact, lets amend the blog post. The people have spoken.
• 

  Andy Jarosz March 30, 2010 at 12:04 pm

  Mark, I have to admit to never having heard of Parkour until I started following Johnny Budden. I am fascinated. It does sound like the ultimate ‘untamed’ sport, with a discipline that does not lend itself to Olympic constraints.

  I suspect that if Johnny (and others) succeed in increasing awareness of this, and the commercial world sees a profitable opportunity to promote its clothing/ gear/ music through parkour, then a sanitised form would emerge that satisfies Olympic, sports officials and H&S regulations, no doubt alienating many of its original supporters in the process. An all too common pattern… Thanks for introducing me to this world.
• 

  Mark Pawlak March 30, 2010 at 12:37 pm

  Andy,

  Yes indeed. I think in many ways this has already happened. Not that it detracts for a moment from the endeavour itself.

  Counter culture will always be embraced as a niche for marketers. Parkour scenes have made their way into mainstream movies and TV ads for cat food (Bo-Bo the cat free runner) http://tinyurl.com/yadjl34

  These guys, JSB and associates ,will strive to ‘keep it real’, after all, how much more real can it get?

  Similarities in this sport to travelling and backpacking off the map – both take the road less travelled.

  Cheers Andy
• 

  Darko March 30, 2010 at 8:54 pm

  Andy – you hit the nail on the head. Sticky is doing an amazing thing and I wish him every success.
• 

  Mark Pawlak March 31, 2010 at 8:22 am

  Darko,

  Thanks for commenting. I just interviewed Sticky, it will go up here tmrw. Keep in touch.

  Mp
• 

  John August 29, 2011 at 8:04 am

  This is actually already being done. The application process to the Olympic Committee was started several months ago.
  We have come under heavy fire from one side and heavy support on the other.
  The beginning formation statutes can be found on LCMARTIALARTS.COM in the IPF Files section. The IPF website should be up in roughly a week.

  We are currently seeking those who wish to set up National Federations to represent their country.