What sports were removed from the Olympics in 2028?

By Jayson Panganiban April 29, 2024 14:06

Photo by Getty Images

The Olympics have always been a platform to showcase a wide array of sports from around the world. Although, the selection of sports for the Olympics is a dynamic process, and some sports are occasionally removed or excluded from the program.

In the case of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, there were several sports that were removed from consideration or excluded from the program.

Let's take a closer look at the sports that were removed from the Olympics in 2028.

Ultimate

Ultimate, a fast-paced, non-contact team sport played with a flying disc, also known as a Frisbee, was one of the sports vying for a spot in the 2028 Olympics.

Yet, it was quietly removed from consideration by the tournament organizing committee. Despite the efforts of its biggest organizations, the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) and USA Ultimate, ultimate did not make the final list of sports that were asked to make a final proposal to the LA28 organizing committee.

This decision came as a major blow to the sport's Olympic dreams, especially considering its wide international appeal and competitive presence in 103 countries worldwide.

Analysis and Impact

The exclusion of ultimate from the 2028 Olympics is a significant development, considering the sport's global reach and appeal.

The decision to remove ultimate from consideration raises questions about the criteria and evaluation process used to determine the inclusion of sports in the Olympics.

It also brings to light the challenges and complexities involved in the selection of sports for the Olympic program, especially considering the need to balance the inclusion of traditional and emerging sports while ensuring gender equality and youth appeal.

Other Excluded Sports

In addition to ultimate, several other sports were not included in the 2028 Olympics program.

These included sports such as motorsport, karate, kickboxing, and breakdancing, among others. Each Olympic Games has the flexibility to add a small number of additional sports to its program.

Still, the exclusion of these sports from the 2028 Olympics suggests a careful and deliberate selection process based on specific evaluation criteria set out before the process began.

IOC's Selection Criteria

The selection of sports for the 2028 Olympics was based on a thorough process and analysis, considering evaluation criteria such as gender equality, utilization of existing facilities, involvement of a wide range of sports communities both in the United States and globally.

This rigorous approach to sport selection reflects the IOC's commitment to ensuring a diverse and engaging Olympic program that resonates with athletes and fans worldwide.

The exclusion of sports from the Olympics program is a complex and carefully considered process, and the decision to remove certain sports from the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles reflects the challenges and considerations involved in shaping the Olympic program.

Even though some sports, including ultimate, were not included in the 2028 Olympics, the selection of sports such as baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash for the LA28 Olympics underscores the IOC's commitment to showcasing a diverse and iconic array of sports while engaging with new athlete and fan communities in the US and globally.

While the exclusion of certain sports from the Olympics may raise questions and concerns, it also highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of the Olympic program, as well as the ongoing efforts to balance tradition with innovation, and to provide a platform for a wide range of sports to shine on the global stage.