Cody A: How does a sport become an Olympic sport?
How is a sport chosen to be in the Olympics? Is it based on how popular the game is? Is there a specific percentage of the worlds population that needs to play the sport? Any information appreciated.
Answers and Views:
Answer by targetbutt
It is to an extent based on popularity. You have to have the sport played in many nations, then you need to have one central governing body for that sport, then you start lobbying the IOC to get your sport into the olympics. It then is a matter of them voting it in.
Answer by MR.OLYMPIA
Yes popularity or more specifically a number of countries from each continent is part of the criteria as the IOC calls this universality.
#1 In order to be consider as an Olympic sport you must have an international governing body and a world championships.
For example Basketball is governed by FIBA and has a world championship every 2 years with next one for both men and women in 2010.
https://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/if/fi_uk.asp?Id_federation=5&SportCode=BK
#2 Sports International Federation must be in compliance with the Olympic Charter which means Anti-Doping Code and conduct effective out of contest testing
#3 Summer Olympic Sports- For men participants in 75 countries over 4 continents and women 40 countries/3 continents.
Winter sports 25 countries
These means the countries must be an active participant and belong to the sporting federation. Sport doesn’t necessarily have to be popular as Ice Hockey isn’t really popular in Ireland yet it’s a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
#4 Physical not mechanical athletic performance is required. Sports, disciplines or events in which performance depends on mechanical propulsion is not acceptable.
#5 Usually the sport is a recognized sport and has held at least 2 International championships before it’s even considered
Then the Olympic executive board will hold an up or down vote on the sport.Currently there’s is only room for 28 sports in the Summer Olympics and 8 sports will be voted on in 2016 to see which 2 will be chosen.
They include Baseball, Softball, Rugby 7’s, Karate, Golf, Squash, Roller sports and as of yet unnamed 8th sport.
Answer by aflumpire
first, it must be popular in several parts of the world. then the IOC must list the sport as an ‘olympic listed sport’ or something along those lines.
then for the sport to become apart of the games, the IOC council must have a majority vote.
its very hard to get a sport in or out. at the moment, representitives from Karate, squash, 20-20 cricket are trying to get the IOC to get those sports into the olympics soon.
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