Will Pickleball Become an Olympic Sport?

Pickleball, a paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has gained popularity recently, with millions of players worldwide. With the sport’s rapid growth and increasing popularity, many people wonder whether it will become an Olympic sport. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what needs to happen for pickleball to become an Olympic sport and whether there has been more interest in it becoming a high school sport.

Will Pickleball Become an Olympic Sport?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for adding new sports to the Olympic program, and they have strict guidelines that need to be met before a sport can be added. The IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 established a framework for adding new sports, which includes several criteria:

1. Universality – The sport must be widely practiced around the world.
2. Popularity – The sport must have a significant following, with athletes and spectators from various countries.
3. Cost – The sport must be financially sustainable and not require significant investment in infrastructure or facilities
4. Anti-Doping – The sport must have effective anti-doping measures in place.
5. Youth Appeal – The sport must appeal to young people and attract younger viewers.
6. Gender Equality – The sport must be accessible to both male and female athletes.
7. Legacy – The sport must leave a positive legacy for the host city and the wider community.

Pickleball has been growing in popularity worldwide, with over 3 million players in the US alone. It has also gained popularity in Europe, Asia, and Australia. However, the sport is still relatively unknown in many countries and is not yet recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). To become an Olympic sport, pickleball must first be recognized by the IOC, which would require establishing a global governing body and creating international rules and standards for the sport.

In addition, the sport would need to meet the other criteria outlined by the IOC, such as gender equality, youth appeal, and cost-effectiveness. The sport has already made strides towards meeting some of these criteria, with the formation of the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) in 2010 and including mixed doubles events in international competitions. However, more work must be done before the sport can be considered for inclusion in the Olympic program.

Is Pickleball Gaining Popularity Among Teenagers?

Pickleball has become increasingly popular among people of all ages, including teenagers. With the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, many young people have been introduced to the sport and are interested in playing. In addition, many high schools have started to offer pickleball as a sport, which has helped to generate more interest among teenagers.

Pickleball is a great sport for teenagers, as it is easy to learn and can be played by people of all skill levels. It also promotes physical activity, social interaction, and healthy competition. By introducing the sport to high schools, more teenagers can play and learn about pickleball, which could lead to even more interest in the sport in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while pickleball is not yet an Olympic sport, it can become one in the future. The sport has gained popularity worldwide and has been growing among teenagers as well. To become an Olympic sport, the sport would need to meet the criteria outlined by the IOC, which would require establishing a global governing body and creating international rules and standards for the sport. However, with the increasing popularity and appeal of the sport, it may only be a matter of time before we see pickleball on the Olympic stage.