List of 10 Sports Removed From Olympics 2024

The Olympics have always been a dynamic platform showcasing a wide variety of sports from around the globe. However, with every edition of the Olympic Games, there are modifications to the list of sports, driven by multiple factors like popularity, infrastructure requirements, and viewership interest.

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, certain sports that once enjoyed the global spotlight have been omitted. Below is a comprehensive list of 10 sports removed from Olympics 2024, along with some key reasons behind their removal.

1. Karate

Karate made its long-awaited debut in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but unfortunately, it will not feature in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite the martial art’s immense popularity in Japan, it didn’t gain enough global momentum and appeal, leading to its removal from the list.

The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was based on the sport’s low viewership and its struggle to resonate with a younger global audience.

2. Baseball/Softball

Another notable sport removed from the 2024 Olympic Games is Baseball and Softball. While baseball is a beloved sport in countries like the USA, Japan, and several Latin American nations, it hasn’t gained widespread popularity globally. Softball, similarly, has a limited fanbase.

The IOC cited the cost of building and maintaining specific venues for these sports, along with lower global viewership, as the primary reasons for their exclusion.

3. Squash

Squash has consistently campaigned for its inclusion in the Olympics, but it remains absent from the 2024 event. Despite being a highly engaging and fast-paced sport, squash was once again overlooked by the IOC, leaving many enthusiasts disappointed.

It struggled to compete with more globally recognized sports when it came to television ratings and overall viewership metrics.

4. Cricket

While cricket continues to be a major sport worldwide, especially in countries like India, Australia, and the UK, it hasn’t made its way into the Olympics 2024. The sport’s complicated structure, long game formats, and the need for a vast playing field have been cited as some of the reasons for its exclusion.

The IOC has expressed concerns over its ability to adapt to the shorter and faster-paced format necessary for the Olympic schedule.

5. Parkour

Surprisingly, Parkour, which was expected to make its Olympic debut in 2024, was removed from the final list. Despite its popularity among younger audiences and its inclusion in the Youth Olympics, parkour failed to meet the stringent criteria set by the IOC for full inclusion.

There were also disputes within the sport’s governing bodies about how parkour should be represented in the Olympic format.

6. American Football

Though American Football is a dominant sport in the USA, it hasn’t been able to garner the global presence required to become a mainstay in the Olympics. The sport requires specialized equipment and infrastructure that is not readily available in many countries, making it a costly addition.

Its exclusion from the 2024 Olympics was also influenced by the lack of participation from nations outside the Americas.

7. Bowling

Despite its worldwide popularity as a recreational sport, bowling has been removed from the list of events for the Olympics 2024. It was considered for inclusion but ultimately didn’t meet the IOC’s requirements for global appeal and athletic challenge.

Bowling has yet to shake off its association as a recreational activity and establish itself as an elite competitive sport.

8. Surfing

Although surfing had a short stint in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, it won’t be part of the Olympics 2024. While it is a thrilling and visually captivating sport, the challenge of finding suitable locations in Paris was one of the primary reasons behind its removal.

Additionally, the reliance on natural conditions, like tides and waves, created unpredictability in scheduling, which the IOC considered too risky for the event.

9. Wushu

Similar to karate, Wushu is another martial art that has struggled to break into the mainstream Olympic schedule. Although it has a dedicated following, especially in China, Wushu was not deemed to have broad enough global appeal.

It has been repeatedly left out of the Olympics due to the sport’s complex rules and scoring systems, making it difficult for casual viewers to engage with.

10. Tug-of-War

Yes, Tug-of-War was once an Olympic sport, featuring in multiple editions in the early 20th century, but it hasn’t made a comeback for the 2024 Paris Olympics. While it is a beloved traditional game in many cultures, it doesn’t meet the standards of modern Olympic competition.

The IOC also noted that its lack of a professional governing body and formalized international competitions hinder its return to the Olympic stage.

Why Were These Sports Removed?

The decision to remove or exclude certain sports from the Olympics 2024 stems from a variety of factors:

• Global appeal: Sports that lack a widespread, dedicated following across various nations are less likely to be included.
• Infrastructure: Some sports require specific and expensive venues, making them harder to justify in cities where those facilities don’t already exist.
• Popularity and TV ratings: Sports with low viewership or niche appeal often get sidelined in favor of more globally recognized and profitable options.

Conclusion

The List of 10 Sports Removed from Olympics 2024 reflects the ever-evolving nature of the games. As the world changes, so too must the Olympics adapt to meet the preferences of a new generation of fans.

While some of these sports may find their way back in future editions, their absence from the Paris games highlights the challenges of balancing tradition with modernity in the world’s biggest sporting event.