Pickleball May Not Be in the Olympics, But Its Presence is Still Felt in Paris
Last Edited
Jan 17 2025
Category
News
Why was pickleball not included in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games?
We get this question a lot. Truth is, there are many reasons:
Lack of Global Popularity: While pickleball has grown rapidly in the U.S. and parts of Canada, its global reach is still limited compared to more established Olympic sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) tends to favor sports with broad international appeal and participation.
Organizational Drama: There are currently several international pickleball organizations vying to lead the sport globally. The IOC mandates sports have a single, well-established international federation with smaller, country-wide sub-federations organized within it.
Competition with Other Sports: The Olympics has a fixed number of spots for sports, and there is often fierce competition for inclusion. Many sports with longer histories and more developed global networks are vying for those spots.
Rules and Format: The IOC historically prefers sports with a clear, standardized set of rules which are universally recognized. Pickleball’s rules and formats are still evolving, which might make it more challenging to fit into the Olympic framework.
There are other, more complicated bottlenecks which may prevent pickleball from even being in the 2032 Olympic Games. But hopefully, the above issues will be addressed before that point so that the sport can have a chance of making it.
Pickleball Community at 2024 Olympics
While pickleball isn't at the 2024 Games, its presence is still felt in Paris.
Major League Pickleball recently reminded us that many of their team owners are also accomplished athletes who are either competing in or otherwise representing Team USA this year:
Not All the Athletes Associate with Pickleball
American tennis player Coco Gauff doesn't necessarily want to associate with the above athletes' enthusiasm for pickleball.
Here's a video with her and athlete/influencer Ilona Maher after Maher asks about Gauff's thoughts on the other racquet sport:
@ilonamaher Athletes being athletes. @Coco Gauff and I are friends. All in good fun @paris2024 @Team USA @Olympics ♬ original sound - Ilona Maher
Though the video seems awkward, Bro Bible reports Gauff and Maher are friends and that some of this seems like a forced reaction.
It's ok, Coco. We'll still welcome you to the bright side in a few years when you don't want to play tennis anymore.
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