Faster, Higher, Stronger And The Street

Any research into the sports that capture the imagination of today's urban youth will involved an inspiring foray into the world of Parkour. Started by David Belle in a Paris suburb, the movement quickly found its way into TV ads and films and has inspired adepts all across the world to test themselves against their surroundings.

Much has been written about Belle's early days in the sport, and about the different factions. But what strikes me most is the way in which Parkour has inspired young people all over the world to do first wonder at what can be achieved by the human body and then go on about achieving it.

Gradualism is a key tenet of parkour training: the only way to minimize risk start easy and ratchet up the challenge in small increments. Another is the absence of rivalry although there has been disagreement over the development of the activity, with some more interested in commercial gain than others. Red Bull has attempted to develop a competition format but this has tended towards emphasis of the spectacular (hardly surprising from the people who backed street luge and flug tag). Interesting to note, however, that the winner was decided by the competitors themselves.

For now though, I find a good game of Parkour tag to be far more impressive. And this one You Tube clip alone has been watched nearly 400,000 times..