Why Cheese Rolling Is The Best Sport
By: Mercy Buck, Staff Writer
People debate all the time about the best players, the greatest of all time. They argue Ronaldo or Messi, Brady or Mahomes, Jordan or James, etc. But what people do not argue about is which sport is the best. You can pick different statistics to try and decide but when it comes down to it, there is one sport that stands out. Cheese Rolling. When I first heard about it, I thought it was just another silly game like a pie eating competition, as I watched it and dived deeper into it, I realized that it was actually a serious and fun sport. Other sports are full of politics and ruined by officials while cheese rolling is simply played for the fun of the sport and rules and referees are nonexistent. Most athletes that play traditional sports are tall, strong, fast, etc. , but for cheese rolling all you need is a drive. You need motivation, you do not have to be the best athlete, you have to want it more than your opponents.
Held every year at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester England, the event attracts people from all over the world. Winners of the game hail from a variety of countries such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. This is one of the many reasons why I think cheese rolling is the greatest sport ever. How many other events are hosted at one specific place, every year? No stadiums, no court, no field, no lights, just a hill and some flags. Simple yet bold. First started around 600 years ago, the tradition has been carried on up to today. Crowds numbering into the hundreds gather to watch people of all ages race down a hill to chase the cheese. The cheese itself weighs a hefty 7-9 pounds and is shaped into a wheel, making it easier to roll down a hill, hence the name “cheese rolling.” It is such a unique sport, and that is what makes it the best. No one is wearing uniforms or on teams, it is just every person for themselves. Competition is a thing, but nothing is ever heated or dirty, everyone is just there to play and have a good time with each other, even if they do not win. It brings people together, a wholesome sport that attracts hundreds.