Debate:
Is Cheerleading a Sport?
Thanks to shows like CHEER on Netflix, cheerleading popularity has notoriously grown!
The truth is, there really isnāt a solid definition of āofficialā sport. When necessary, the office of Civil Rights makes this determination on a case by case basis. The Womenās Sports Foundation has narrowed the field down of what is considered a sport to these elements that are commonly agreed upon to define a sport:
- It must be a physical activity which involves propelling a mass through space or overcoming the resistance of mass. (Stuntingā¦ check)!
- āContestingā or competing against/with an opponent is required (Competitionā¦ check)!
- It must be governed by rules that explicitly define the time, space, and purpose of the contest and the conditions under which a winner is declared. (Time limit, mat size, score sheetsā¦ check, check, check)!
- Acknowledgement that the primary purpose of the competition is a comparison of the relative skills of the participants. (You know those competitions on ESPN? Those are national championshipsā¦ check)!