Are we doing a service or disservice to the athletes by having them step aside an event for someone else or should all athletes actually try to work hard and win. I agree with CrazyTwirler. As a competitor, I dont want anyone standing aside for me to enter or potentially win/qualifly. I'm going to win and/or qualify on MY OWN MERITS, not have it handed to me. I see too many athletes/parents whinning because so and so didn't place/win becuase so and so was their. Here's a novel thought, how about putting the work in and actually try to defeat that person. Stop making excuses, and go practice. Twirling is sport, not a recreation activity, not a social function, a sport. Because of such, there are winners and losers. There can be only one winner, and several people who place. If you dont like how you place, work harder, practice, get better material, better routine construction, stop whinning. Not everyone wins, not everyone gets trophy, thats the chances you take entering a competition. Losing should feel bad if you are a true competitor. Go fix it and beat the one that beat you, then you feel accomplished. The helicopter parents need to stop convaluting the sport and stop making excuses. They didn't have it that day, it happens, deal with it.