The usual contentious issue of what sports are added/deleted from each new Games took on probably its greatest heights with the Tokyo Olympics.
The criteria of inclusion according to the IOC:
How The IOC Decides What Sports To Include In The Olympic Games : Live Updates: The Tokyo Olympics : NPRAny sport considered for inclusion in the Olympics is evaluated based on five factors that are split into 35 criteria. The criteria include how much value the sport would add to the Olympics legacy; how long the sport has existed; how popular the sport is in the host country; how much it would cost to broadcast the events, and numerous other factors. Sports included in the Games must also be governed by an international sports federation and must comply with both the Olympic Charter and the World Anti-Doping Code.
But:
So, this 'inclusion' aspect seems rather remote when one looks at how popular a sport is worldwide, otherwise it's just a sport played by a handful of countries, which is ridiculous and seems contrary to the Olympic Spirit - it also leaves poorer nations out with their local or regional sports.But it's not just the IOC calling the shots. A host city can also play a role in the decision, and push for a particular sport for the year that they are hosting.
So, Here's a list of 'contentious' sports - which ones would you get rid of given the credo of 'global appeal' and 'global presence'?
Choose 5 to chuck.
- 3x3 Basketball
- Artistic Swimming
- Baseball
- Softball
- Basketball
- Beach Volleyball
- BMX Freestyle
- BMX Racing
- Mountain Bike
- Cycling Track
- Dressage
- Golf
- Skateboarding
- Sport Climbing
- Surfing
- Tennis
- Trampoline
Damn, can't edit the poll
*(I'd add rugby but there are too many one-eyed rugby nuts here)
**(Tennis/Trampoline got sling together - choose if either)