These Ten Sports Aren’t In The Summer Olympics, But Should Be

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris feature 31 sports and 329 events, but these ten sports or events should be there, too!

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are well underway, and there’s no short of action. With 32 sports and 329 total events, there is something for everyone.

But, there are still some sports and events we’d love to see be competed every four years. Here are ten sports or events that would make the world’s best sporting event even better.

Baseball

Baseball has been in the Olympics before, and was contested every Olympics from 1992-2008, and returned for Tokyo 2020, but is not being contested in Paris. It’s played by enough countries, a number that is growing, to be included in the Olympics every four years and not go stale.

Thankfully, baseball will be back for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. And, Major League Baseball has said that they are open to letting the Major Leaguers play in the event for the first time. Previously, Team USA was made up of former major leaguers, minor leaguers, and amateurs.

Softball

Not only is baseball missed, but softball is certainly missed, too. Think back to the 2000s, and some of the biggest Team USA stars were softball players in Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza. The sport was in the Olympics from 1996-2008 and once again at Tokyo 2020.

It will be back for Los Angeles, but it seems like the sport has lost some momentum. Thankfully, Australia which will host the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, also likes softball and it is likely it can stay in the Olympic programme.

 

4x100 Mixed Relay

At Tokyo 2020, a mixed relay came to the track for the first time in the form of the Mixed 4×400 Relay. It’s a really cool event that was very popular among watchers during Tokyo 2020.

So, why not do a Mixed 4×100 Relay at the Olympics, as well? The 4×100 is arguably the most exciting track race in the entire meet, and adding a mixed relay with two men and two women competing would be awesome. The USA-Jamaica rivalry in the event would be one of the can’t-miss events every four years.

Lacrosse

Just as the popularity of Lacrosse is taking off in the United States, the game is growing globally as well, and it would’ve fit in well in Paris this summer.

A version of Lacrosse, Lacrosse Sixes, is making its way to the Olympics in 2028, but the full version would’ve been better and deserves a spot in the Olympic Games.

T20 Cricket

While cricket was contested at the 1900 games in Paris, it only featured two teams, Great Britain and France. Test cricket, the way most cricket was played for decades, is too long to have a tournament in the two-ish weeks a modern Summer Olympics lasts .

Enter T20 Cricket. This form of cricket shortens a match from days into around 3 1/2 hours and is perfect for an Olympics. The IOC agrees, as it will be in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Squash

Squash, an indoor racket sport with some similarities to racquetball, is played in over 185 countries, making it perfect for the Olympics.

It will be in the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles as well, but it seems absolutely silly given some of the other sports in the Olympics that a sport as widely played as squash will have waited over 130 years before inclusion.

Men's Balance Beam

Gymnastics is always a big hit, especially Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. And, the most nerve-wracking event is the Balance Beam. It truly keeps every viewer on the edge of their seat.

But, Men’s Gymnastics doesn’t have the Balance Beam, only sharing Vault and Floor Exercise with Women’s Gymnastics among the six events on the men’s side. That should change, as Balance Beam is a lot more fun to watch than, say, parallel bars.

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee was once thought of as purely a recreational game, but it is super competitive now all over the world, with World Championships held every four years and over 100 countries having ranked national teams.

The friendly, yet competitive nature of the sport would fit in nicely with the IOC’s goals and values.

Team Golf

Golf returned to the Olympics after a century-plus hiatus in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and it’s been a huge hit, with many of the world’s top players on both the men’s and women’s sides playing.

But, as of now, the events are only for individuals. Why not add a team aspect? It could even be a combined men’s and women’s score. It would be fun to watch, that’s for sure.

Tug of War

Tug of War is everyone’s favorite field day game, and it was a staple in the Olympics from 1900 to 1920. Let’s face it, this sport needs to be back.

There are a lot of creative ways they could bring it back, such as making a weight limit and only allowing one athlete from each sport to compete. They could even have the Gold Medal Match be held at the Closing Ceremonies. Either way, it would instantly be one of the most-watched Olympic events and would give the country that won huge bragging rights.