Originating on the streets, Parkour can be summed up as the art of getting from one point to another by respecting one key principle: efficiency and fluidity. Parkour was developed as a training method but over time it has inspired diverse sporting events, action movies, gaining many followers.
In FIG events, the Parkour area is strewn with a variety of blocks, walls and bars designed to mirror the different obstacles found in urban areas. To overcome them, athletes must make use of a range of techniques, such as the cat leap (saut de chat), arm jump (saut de bras), drop jump (saut de fond) and wall run (passe-muraille).
There are two categories: Speed and Freestyle. In the Speed event, athletes must overcome obstacles as quickly as possible to reach the finish line in the quickest time. In the Freestyle event, athletes make use of the obstacles to show off their style and creativity as their technical performance is judged.
The basis of Parkour is to get to the essence in the face of an obstacle. The philosophy of this sport is to be constantly on the move and to never stop. If tracers are confronted by a problem, if they find an obstacle in their way, they must be able to create a strategy for progressing, for moving forward. This is a sporting discipline which also teaches self-confidence to those who take part in it.
It is a philosophy which is applied to life itself. Parkour is a vehicle for values of honesty, respect, humility, self-denial, rigour, discipline, but also pushing yourself and tasting the satisfaction of sheer effort.
The first edition is planned for 2020. The competition consists of qualifications and finals for each category, Speed and Freestyle.
The first FIG World Cup series was launched in 2018. It consists of two stages, organised with the FISE at their World Action Sports Festivals in Hiroshima (JPN) and Montpellier (FRA). At each event, athletes have the opportunity to win prize money and World Cup points which result in separate Parkour World Cup Series Ranking Lists for Speed and Freestyle. The two best results of these competitions per year are taken into consideration to determine the winner of the annual World Cup Series.