Question of the Day — 8/10/05

Issue: Medford athlete dies at practice: Cheerleader, 14, was thrown in air, landed chest down /Boston Globe

DFO: I wince whenever I see high school cheerleaders being tossed 12 to 15 feet in the air with the destination of being caught by 2 or 3 other girls or boys below. The margin of error is slim. Sometimes, I wonder if high school athletic authorities should require certain safety measures for cheerleaders, as they do for football players and other intensive sports.

Question: Do you believe high school cheerleading performances are safe?