### What Determines an Olympic Sport?
The Olympic Games are synonymous with famous events like running and swimming, but many sports have disappeared over the years, such as karate, tug-of-war, and even hot air ballooning. The question arises: who decides which sports remain, leave, or are added?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) governs this process:
– **History**: The IOC has overseen the Games since 1896.
– **Decision-Making**: The Executive Board proposes new sports, with the entire committee voting on them.
– **Host Country Influence**: Starting in 2020, the host country can suggest additional sports. For instance, Paris 2024 added Breaking.
### Criteria for Olympic Sports
Sports must meet several criteria to qualify for the Olympics:
1. **Global Reach**: Must be widely practiced—men in 75 countries (4 continents) and women in 40 countries (3 continents).
2. **Well Established Rules**: Must have standardized rules applied internationally and a history of organized competitions.
3. **Ethics**: Must align with Olympic values like peace and gender equality, promoting opportunities for both male and female athletes.
4. **Cost-Efficiency & Environmental Impact**: Important considerations in selecting sports.
### Notable Cuts from Olympic History
Since their inception, at least nine sports have been removed. Examples include:
– **Hot Air Ballooning**: Featured only in 1900 in Paris.
– **200m Obstacle Swimming**: Debuted in 1900 before being discontinued.
– **Underwater Swim**: Also introduced in 1900, lacked spectator appeal.
– **Cesta Punta**: Played once at the 1900 Games.
– **American Football**: Featured in 1904 and 1932, but no longer included.
### Recent Developments
The 2020 Tokyo Games introduced karate, surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing, with only the latter three remaining. Breaking will debut at Paris 2024 on August 9-10, fulfilling all Olympic criteria.
### Future Prospects
For the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, five new sports have been proposed: baseball-softball, lacrosse, cricket, flag football, and squash. The recommendation process follows the established protocol to ensure thorough consideration by the IOC.
In summary, while the decision-making process is structured, it evolves over time, reflecting cultural shifts and audience interests at the Olympics.