rollersports

Rollersports is an umbrella term for competitive activities performed on roller skates, using inline or traditional quad skates. It encompasses a range of disciplines governed internationally by World Skate and by national federations. Core disciplines include artistic skating (judged routines on wheels, similar to figure skating), speed skating (time-trial races on tracks or road courses, in inline and quad formats), downhill (high-speed road racing on long courses), aggressive inline skating (trick and street-based competition), roller hockey (team sport on a rink with sticks and a puck or ball, using quad or inline skates), and roller derby (co-ed, full-contact team sport with a scoring system).

Competitions are organized at national and international levels, with World Skate coordinating world championships and the World Roller Games, a multisport event that brings together most roller sports disciplines.

Equipment and safety: participants use inline or quad skates, protective equipment such as helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and often padding for beginners. Courses may be indoor rinks or outdoor tracks; rules specify equipment standards, track dimensions, and safety protocols.

History: Rollersports has roots in 18th- and 19th-century roller skating; organized forms emerged in the 20th century, with international competition expanding in recent decades as inline skates and standardized rules enabled multi-discipline events.