If the cheerleaders reign over the entertainment world, the baton twirling has imposed itself in the sporting world.
With the exception of the stick which twirls and spins between the expert fingers of the practitioners, the two disciplines claim their differences.
“The French Sports Federation of Stick Twirling (FFSTB) is recognized by the Ministry of Sports, underlines Aldine Pichon, president of the Savigny Twirling club in Savigny-le-Temple (Seine-et-Marne).
There is a majorette section in our federation, but stick twirling is closer to gymnastics.
We are not yet on the list of Olympic disciplines.
But the will is there.
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With around fifty members, the Aldine Pichon club is fully rooted in this sport.
"It's a physical sport with throws and tricks," she explains.
It can be practiced solo, with one or two sticks, in duo or as a dance on the floor.
This specialty is called
Rhythmic Twirl.
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As in all sports, practitioners are keen to come into contact with the world of competition.
This year, the Savigny-le-Temple club (Seine-et-Marne) won three French championship titles as well as a silver medal and two bronze medals at the European Championships.
“Stick twirling is a sport that brings a lot of self-confidence, concludes Aldine Pichon.
In competition, the passages are examined by judges.
It is an excellent school for all these young people.
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