Padel’s Rocky Journey to Olympic Glory
Padel is aspiring to be an Olympic sport in the coming years. As the love for the sport reaches international levels, more and more people are getting into this racket sport. Professional padel players see this sport reaching Olympic heights in no time.
The Olympics is the pinnacle competition that all sports games, including padel, aspire to reach. However, achieving this milestone is not an easy task. Many famous sports that have applied for admission have been rejected, and padel tennis is up for the challenge.
Padel has been gaining international fame throughout the recent decade. Now more than ever, the demand for padel tennis to enter the Olympic game is coming in strong.
But how exactly is a new sport proposed to the International Olympic Committee?
Let’s find out what is missing from holding back padel tennis from entering the prestigious Olympic games.
There are 74 criteria necessary for a sport to be admitted to the Olympics, which generally change every 2-3 years.
First of all, a sport must be recognized directly by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). When this happens, its world federation is included in the ARISF (Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations). The sport subsequently requests to be included in the Olympic program. A special commission considers its request, the Olympic Program Commission, composed of members of the IOC and representatives of the national Olympic committees, federations, and athletes.
The Olympic standard is, of course, held at the pinnacle of sports so getting in is years worth of work. But how exactly is a new sport proposed to the International Olympic Committee?
The commission evaluates whether the sport in question has value for the brand and the mission of the Olympic Games and then submits its opinion to the IOC. If it exceeds the famous 74 criteria, it is admitted into the ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) or AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Federation).
What are the required criteria for a sport to be admitted to the Olympics?
The sport must be able to reach the Olympic level in many aspects. It should have added value to bring to the Olympic Games. A set of rules and principles adopted by the managers of that sport, such as the existence of a code of ethics, an arbitral court, or equal opportunities in the governing bodies should be present.
The history and tradition of sport and the universality through the number of affiliated national federations, the presence in different continents, and the number of other federations medaled in continental, and world competitions are considered. Even the popularity of the candidate discipline, the television appeal, and the ability to do box office are considered.
The conditions of the athletes, focusing primarily on the doping aspect, such as the existence of controls outside competitions, compliance with WADA rules. It is practiced in a minimum of 75 countries and 4 continents.
The International Padel Federation has been working tirelessly towards this goal.
Good thing, padel tennis is now reaching worldwide fame. We’re getting closer and closer to the Olympic dream.
The sport should be represented and promoted by an international federation. Also, must have development programs for the practice of the new generations. It must respect the environment and the sustainability of the materials. There must be no discrimination based on gender, ability, race, or religion in the sport.
Finally, after evaluating the future development of the discipline and the economic-financial aspect, the fateful verdict of the International Olympic Committee arrives.
