Jul 2, 2008 3:26 PM Meredith.Keller

should cheerleading be an olympic sport? I will keep this short.
NO.

Jul 2, 2008 4:02 PM EggoryZ

I can't even tell you how many cheerleading competitions I've been to from my sister's younger years and I would definitely say that cheerleading like you see on ESPN is a sport...sidelines under lights on Friday night for your local high school...not so much.

However, if we are going to say that cheerleading is a sport because of the maneuvers performed and energy exerted during the course of a competition, then I would have to make the same argument about Paramedics being athletes based on their performances at these events as well. Cheerleaders at these events are rare breads, even when they are not on the floor, they are performing...sitting in the stands waiting for their turn on the stage...they are continuously yelling and stomping in unison through out the course of the day. Some of these routines are actually executed really well...and that says a lot coming from someone who never wanted to be at one of these events (can't really argue with the parents when they say "how many of your football games has your sister been too?") However, the routines were not my favorite part of these competitions, my favorite part was the announcements of the winners and losers and thus where the Paramedics came into play.

At each competition I attended, it was without fail that when a squad found out that it had won, that a few of the girls would get so frantically excited that they would start to hyperventilate and eventually pass out. Some being caught by near by team members on there way down, others being not so lucky and meeting their fate with the ground/gymnasium floor. Enter Paramedics.

Others, once the final winners were announced and their squads name not called, would become so upset and ravaged with tears, that the combination of massive tears and already being "athletic" all day would lead them to significant levels of dehydration that they would faint...meeting a similar fate to that of their victorious competitor. Again, enter Paramedics.

And this is not just any standard distress call...this is enter a gym of maybe 3000-4000 girls and have somebody tell you..."one of the cheerleaders has fainted/passed out/vomited/etc...she's over there." Mr. Paramedic then needs to play two rolls...1) Magellan, as he navigates through a treacherous gym floor packed full of said girls and 2) athlete, as he bobs and weaves his way to the "athlete" in distress w/ gear in hand. All of this an impressive display of medical training.

Definitely agree that there are certain forms of cheerleading that can qualify as "sport," however, if we are going to pass out credit to these athletes...lets give credit where credit is due...I salute you...Mr. Cheerleading Competition On-site Paramedic Man.

Jul 2, 2008 4:16 PM ActiveNahied

Cheerleading is a lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work. You need a ton of energy and discipline to be a exceptional cheerleader. Cheerleading has strong potential to become an Olympic sport!

Jul 3, 2008 8:38 AM jspitzberg in response to: Jesse@Active

Bring it on!

Jul 3, 2008 9:28 AM Amanda_Bourquin in response to: Coach Corey

I agree that cheerleading competitions seen on ESPN is quite difficult and requires skill, athleticism, dedication and hard work. One slip up, one little off movement and that girl that has been tossed high into the sky, will end up on the ground in pain! With that said...if Cheerleading is going to become an Olympic sport before women's lacrosse does...I will have some serious issues. Lacrosse was an Olympic sport in 1904 and 1908. It was also a demonstration sport in 1928, 1932, and 1948. Bring it back...please....please...before cheerleading. I mean, do I really have to argue that point?