Dance is a sport and an art

There has been an argument as to whether dance is a sport or if it is merely a performing art.

The question needs to be asked why dance cannot be considered both a sport and a performing art.

Dictionary.com defines sport as an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.

Dance is defined as moving one’s feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.

Art is defined as the quality, production, expression or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

Dance involves one or more people expressing themselves in the form of movement, which is why dance is considered performing art. In order to move ones feet or body it would mean that dance is an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess, therefore also making dance a sport.

On occasions dance can be competitive such as televised dance competitions including, Rock Eisteddfod’s, So you think you can dance, Dancing with the stars, Calisthenics or even synchronised swimming, which is a form of dance in the water.

Both calisthenics and synchronised swimming are competed at Olympic level, it would be interesting to see if hip hop, ballet or jazz are introduced to the Olympics.