When watching the Olympics I feel a great deal of respect for the dedication displayed by the athletes.  The Olympic training road is difficult.  The path to being an Elite level twirler and an Olympic hopeful someday is also a long one and requires much dedication and countless hours of practice.  Participation in baton clinics is encouraged so that young twirlers learn proper technique and performance skills at an early age.  Many older advanced level twirlers are asked to teach at clinics across the country and internationally.  As with any sport, the earlier the athlete learns correct twirling technique and showmanship, the movements become more natural and comfortable.  Many twirlers attend regular dance and gymnastics classes in addition to twirling instruction. 

With all certainty, the process of getting your sport recognized as Olympic is complicated.  Baton twirling is not only a sport, it is also an art much like figure skating and gymnastics; twirling is judged in a similar manner.  While twirling is a performance sport and judged accordingly, scoring includes:  Difficulty, variety of tricks, technique, gracefulness and flow of the routine, and showmanship.  There is no final lap or finish line, just an athlete showcasing a talent that encompasses concentration, physical exertion, music interpretation, dance, gymnastics, coordination and grace. 

Individual twirlers as well as twirling teams work very hard at their chosen sport.  It would be a tribute to the sport if it could be viewed by millions during the Olympic games.

I have often wondered why baton twirling has not yet made the ranks of an Olympic sport.  My son has been a competitive twirler for 13 years with his most recent accomplishments consisting of 2 first place finishes in the Senior Mens Divsion at NBTA World Championships in Ghent, Belgium (April 2009).  Unless one has carefully observed this level of competitive twirling you would not understand the intense discipline and coordination involved in this amazing sport.  Competitive twirling requires numerous elements quite similar to ice skating and rhythmic gymnastics.   I applaud twirlers around the world who have devoted their lives to the training involved in competition at this elite level.  Our trip to Belgium was my first experience watching athletes from around the world and I was truly amazed at the level of athleticism involved in this intense competition.  

My son, Jonathan, and I often watch videos from other national and world competitions and these clearly define twirling as edgey while graceful, and athletically charged yet intruiging. 

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