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Parkour is not a new sport, and nor
does it have designs on increasing its
market share or profile. It can best be
characterised as the solitary pursuit of
excellence.
Parkour practitioners, or traceurs, run
through the urban environment in as
free-flowing amanner as possible. They
jump and climb over any stationary
objects in their path: stairs, walls, even
roofs. The goal is speed and grace.
The point is to get from point A to point
B as quickly as possible.
The sport does not have rules, so
much as disciplines. For example,
traceurs need to be able to return to
their starting point, but not necessarily
by the same path. The action should
involve acrobatics and jumping but not
flips and showy moves. The object is
movement and speed, not fancy thrills.
Indeed, true traceurs have an almost
aesthetic approach to the sport. They
see the running and jumping as a
method to improve the mind, some how
using the speed to achieve a better
understanding of themselves and their
environment.
The Parkourpedia website characteris-
es the essence of the sport in this way:
“Move in such a way, with any move-
ment, that will help you gain the most
ground on someone / something as if
escaping from someone / something or
chasing toward someone / something.”
To those unfamiliar with the sport, they
should get a copy of the 21st James
Bond film, Casino Royale. In the
By Timothy Mottram
touchline
12
Spotlight on Sport
PARKOUR:
LEAPING FROM THE ROOFTOPS