Baton twirling
| Twirling baton, 2010 | |
| First contested | Europe and Asia, 19th century | 
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No | 
| Mixed-sex | Yes | 
| Type | Gymnastic sport | 
| Equipment | Baton | 
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide | 
| Olympic | No | 
| Paralympic | No | 
| World Games | 1993 (invitational) | 
Baton twirling is a sport that combines dance and color guard to create coordinated routines. Instead of such implements as a flag, rifle, sabre, or other props, it requires a "baton" which is a metal rod, typically just slightly larger than one's dominant arm. The sport can be seen in national and international competitions including the USA Junior Olympics.