Rope and glory: extreme skipping set for Olympics

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Extreme skipping involves performing acrobatic stunts while "jumping rope". Groups of accomplished practitioners can do back-flips, somersaults and aerial cartwheels as they keep in time with the rhythm.

The sport was showcased at last month's basketball test event featuring Great Britain and France at the Olympic Park in Stratford. The acrobatic performance was so successful that extreme skipping is being tipped as an official entertainment before, during and after basketball matches during next year's Games.

Sue Dale, the GB coach and mother of British champions Rachael, 22, and Beci, 23, said: "We've been doing this for 15 years. It started in an after-school club. I took over coaching the club and here we are.

"My girls are the number one and two in Britain. Now they go round the world taking skipping to people. They are natural gymnasts but most people pick it up as they go along.

"You have to be very fit to do it at this level. Some of our skippers train every day to make sure they can perform at their best. It's one of those sports that catches people's eye because it is not what they expect."

Mrs Dale, who trains her Jump Rope UK team in Redditch, Worcestershire, was approached by Games organising committee Locog to perform at the test event, which took place at the 12,000-seat basketball arena.

The squad was made up of four British women, four men from the US, three men from Belgium and a woman from Hungary.

A Locog spokeswoman said: "The skipping display at the basketball test event is just one of many elements which will be reviewed as part of the testing process. Plans for Games time will be announced early next year."