Parkour, also known as freerunning, is a physical discipline where participants, known as traceurs, learn to move freely over objects found in the urban environment.
Using running, climbing and jumping, this adrenaline inducing sport was first conceived in the 1980s in France and was known as l’Art du Deplacement.
One of the people most commonly accredited with the invention of parkour is David Belle. Here he is showing why the sport became so popular in the 90s and 2000s.
Since its rise in popularity, it has been widely used in documentaries, video games, advertising and, of course, films. For example, in the opening scene of the Hollywood blockbuster film Casino Royale where James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, is involved in a high-speed, high altitude chase…
Nowadays, those who practice parkour believe it is more than just a physically demanding sport. It is an art and a philosophy used to build confidence, resilience and explore self-expression. It’s about respect for the built environment as well as for other people.
Our project partners Espirit Concrete take this more philosophical approach, rooted in the original l’Art du Deplacement, to the training they deliver in our Tracerz projects. Find out more on their website.