This is the official petition as part of Meadowhall Shopping Centre's campaign to get shopping officially recognised as a sport in its own right, ahead of London 2012.

We want shopping added to the next Olympic Games, and this petition will be presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) alongside a compelling argument from a local leading expert on Retail Athletics Sport Science* 

But why should you sign this petition? Read on. 

A recent survey** found that women can burn up to 48,000 calories a year just looking for the perfect pair of shoes, the equivalent of 160 netball games. In addition, for many women across the UK ‘mall walking’ is already considered a legitimate exercise class, with thousands meeting up on a Sunday afternoon to take part. 

Charlie Hobson (BSc), a Yorkshire-based Personal Trainer, who is lending his weight to the campaign comments: “In my view, for something to be considered a sport it needs to fulfil 3 key criteria. Firstly, it needs to have the ability to become competitive event, secondly athleticism should provide participants with a competitive edge and finally an element of skill - whether that is through strategy or technical execution - should play a key role. In my expert opinion I believe that all three of these areas can be applied to shopping.” 

“The IOC themselves define an event as a competition that leads to the award of medals. A sport or discipline may be included in the Olympic program if the IOC determines that it is widely practiced around the world. With the number of countries and continents that regularly take part in a ‘sport’ being a key indicator of a sport's prevalence and Olympic stature it is difficult to argue against shopping – a worldwide phenomenon- being included.” 

Get behind this cause and pledge your support now!

Yours faithfully,

The Meadowhall Team

*Self appointed title 

**Survey conducted by Skinny Cow Ice Cream