- Question
Is cheerleading a sport?
While no one can doubt cheerleading an intensive physical activity, whether or not it is considered a sport remains a popular debate. Cheerleading is not represented the same as other competitive sports (for example in the Olympics) leading some people to say it is not a real sport.
Yes, cheerleading is a sport
This position holds that cheerleading is a sport. On this view it meets the criteria normally used, since it involves athletic skill, systematic training, serious injury risk and judged competition between squads, and what it lacks is recognition.
No, cheerleading is not a sport
This position holds that cheerleading is not a sport. On this view its defining role is to support another team's contest and to work a crowd, and a performance placed on presentation is better classed as an athletic art.