Disclaimer: We do not provide an answer to the topic of Parkour and Competition. We only ask more questions. When looking at many of the modern day olympic events it would seem that they have taken away the effectiveness of many of the movements and choose to focus merely on abstract challenges. If Parkour were to make an entrance into the Olympics I believe that it would return in a fashion much like the ancient days of the Greek games.

A prime example of this lack of efficiency would be the high jump. Although the athletes have great strength and ability to hurl themselves over bars they do not land, but rather fall daintily to the mats beneath them. Whereas there used to be a standing high jump competition, but it was held only one year in the early years of the games.

Perhaps if Parkour were to ever make its way into the Olympics it would have its own category of skills much like gymnastics. If so, it could account for a variety of skills like wall runs (vertical + horizontal), cat's for distance, distance running with obstacles, and even the discontinued high jump.

But what about the Parkour philosophy? People can be competitive, but Traceurs must learn to do things for themselves and reach that level of autonomy in ability while being a part of a community in spirit. David Belle said, “When you’re training Parkour with passion, if you’re good, people will notice you. Don’t go around saying, ‘Hey look at this new move I got.’ No. We used to say, ‘If it’s good we’ll tell you.’ Do it for yourself first.”

Would having Parkour in the Olympics do more for Parkour or would it make the Olympics better? We think that Parkour may do much more for the Olympics then vice versa. The more people watching an event the more it is likely to continue. Watching someone leap through various obstacles over 200 meters is arguably more interesting than watching someone sprint 200 meters. Both events take skill, work, determination and a variety of good attributes in order to succeed. Perhaps as Traceurs we are biased?

And most importantly. If Parkour became an Olympic sport would Traceurs start wearing spandex?

More to come on the Olympics! Countdown: 10 Days!