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"This is brilliant recognition for a discipline that started
off as child’s play with my friends almost 30 years ago," said
Sebastien Foucan, the president of Parkour UK, in a statement.
Parkour, which involves running, climbing and jumping
acrobatically around buildings and over terrain, was founded in
France in the 1980s as Art du Deplacement -- later taking its
name from the French word 'parcours' (course or route).
The recognition by Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales and
Sport Northern Ireland means Parkour UK becomes the official
national governing body and can apply for lottery and state
funding to support development.
British government Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch said she was
pleased with the move.
"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," she said.
Foucan performed Parkour as the villain Mollaka in the 2006
James Bond movie 'Casino Royale'.
While the potential dangers and anti-social elements, such as
trespass and damage to property, have been highlighted in some
media coverage, the recognized version is more carefully
controlled.
"Parkour/Freerunning is now in the vast majority of primary and
secondary schools, colleges and universities all over the UK,"
said Parkour UK chief executive Eugene Minogue.
"We have built a qualified workforce of over 600 people, we have
led the development of a British, and now a European standard
for Parkour equipment. As a result, there are now more than 50
Parkour Parks across the UK."
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)
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