The UK has become the first country in the world to officially recognise parkour as a sport following an announcement at the capital’s biggest outdoor freerunning facility.
Parkour, also known as Art du Deplacement, see’s participants run, jump and climb through urban structures using only their natural body strength.
Recognition from all five UK sports councils, including Sport England, means organisations such as Parkour UK, which led the initial application for its recognition status in 2009, will now be able to apply for Government grants and National Lottery funding.
The announcement was made Westminster Academy’s LEAP park, the world’s first purpose-built Parkour site, on Monday.
Eugene Minogue, chief executive of Parkour UK, said: "Recognition is a thing in its own right and that is what we are celebrating today, that the sport has been recognised as a sport. That's no mean feat.
"Yes, it does give us the ability to apply for funding, and there are a number of other benefits that come of it, but the biggest thing for us is how it will give the public an understanding of what parkour is and what benefits it has."
Tracey Crouch, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, welcomed the announcement. She said: "I want people to get out there and find the sport and physical activity that appeals to them and parkour is certainly a fun, creative and innovative option.”
Rows have erupted over the sport in the past after people were spotted freerunning without safety ropes.
