The rapid expansion of Padel, the international aspect that the competition has adapted in recent years Professional and the evolution of great players Level beyond Spain and Latin America invites us to ask the question of why the Padel It is not an Olympic sport yet.
In the last Olympic event, Tokyo 2021, it was possible to see new disciplines such as surfing, sport climbing or skateboarding. In London 2012 women's boxing was included and in Paris 2024 the breakdance It will be a new Olympic category.
Therefore, if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) studies and gradually includes new disciplines to the most important event in world sport, why does the Padel Hasn't it been considered an Olympic sport?
What does a sporting discipline need to be an Olympic sport?
Well, for a sport to be Olympic it must meet the requirements established in the Olympic Charter. This document sets out the fundamental principles, rights and Olympic obligations.
For a sport to receive the Olympic Charter it must meet the following criteria:
- The sport is supported by an International Federation: “The IOC may recognize as IF international non-governmental organizations that govern one or more sports at the global level and, by extension, organizations recognized by the IF as governing these sports at the national level,” confirms the Olympic Charter.
In the case of Padel, the International Federation of Padel (FIP) is the body in charge of regulating this sport for more than twenty years. Furthermore, one of his tasks in recent years has been to promote and promote the candidacy of Padel as an Olympic sport. What's more, there are currently 50 national federations.
- Apply the Anti-Doping Code: The IOC requires compliance with the conditions contained in the World Anti-Doping Code.
- Sports presence in 75 countries and 4 continents: that is, the sport, in this case the Padel, It is implemented in 75 countries for the men's modality and 40 countries and 3 continents in the case of the women's modality.
The last obstacle that a sporting discipline has to overcome to be Olympic is approval by the IOC. Through a vote, the IOC Executive Council chooses three years in advance of the next Olympic Games which sports will meet in the largest sporting showcase in the world
At what point is the Padel world today?
A priori, the three fundamental requirements promulgated by the IOC are achievable in the Padel. However, in quantitative terms it may be the last one that poses the most difficulties.
According to the FIP the Padel It is practiced in more than 90 countries. This translates to more than 18 million gamers Padel worldwide and more than 300,000 sports licenses, according to Deloitte. Another piece of information that confirms the global success of Padel is the rapid extension of tracks Padel. In the last two years, more than 270 million euros have been invested in the construction of tracks around the world.
The growth of Padel It is unstoppable. The number of players does not stop growing and with it its popularity. This, added to the growth of television audiences of Padel Professional and new international competitions such as Premier Padel, They leave a hopeful scenario for the Padel be considered an Olympic sport.
When will it be Padel an olympic sport?
If he Padel continues to grow at the dizzying pace it has done in the last five years, the dream of seeing the Padel In the Olympics it may be closer than it seems.
All eyes are on Brisbane 2032, while the Paris and Los Angeles events have already been ruled out.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of amateur and beginner players begin a beautiful love story for this sport. A passion that has crossed borders beyond Spain, Argentina or Mexico, cradles of Padel global.
Shovel, Padel Shoes, Padel Clothing of Padel and until then a few friends will be the weapons of expansion of a sport that sooner rather than later will also end up fulfilling its Olympic dream.
