cedar rapids: With the world of sports continually expanding, most recognize the big names.
many famous athletes come from high-impact sports, like lebron james in basketball or aaron rodgers in football.
This begs the question: what is considered a sport and why? What are the requirements to classify as a sport?
Should dance be considered a sport?
To start answering these questions, another question must be asked: what is it?
the definition of a sport?
According to the dictionary, a sport is defined as “an athletic activity requiring physical skill or dexterity and often competitive in nature…” By this definition, does dancing count?
According to a poll on debate.com, 77% of people consider dancing to be a sport, while 23% consider it an art form.
Why do most consider it a sport? Sam Meyers, the freshman and sophomore football coach at Xavier High School, thinks “dance is a sport because you compete against other teams and work together.”
Dance also fits the definition of a sport because it requires skill, physical prowess, and competitiveness. dancing requires skills on and off stage, like stretching before a competition so a muscle doesn’t tear during the performance, and mimicking moves that are an art form.
The dancers have a lot of skill in their arsenal and the dance is physically demanding. between maintaining a healthy lifestyle while balancing the energy exerted and continuing to give your whole body to the boat.
dance can be very competitive, from recitals to regional and national competitions. Whether the competition is between the person and themselves or between a few opposing teams, dance fits this definition of a sport.
according to lancaster.com, “dance meets this criterion of a sport; therefore, dancers should be equally respected as athletes and dance respected as a sport. dancing is athletic, requires intense practice, is competitive, and brings with it the likelihood of injury.”
Sports have shaped our current world and with new activities taking their place as respective sports, dance should also be present.
as they say before any performance, leave it all on stage.