Is Pickleball An Olympic Sport?

WHAT IS PICKLE BALL?

Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court (here are the pickleball court dimensions) with a smaller, hollow plastic ball. The game is played in teams, and players use paddles to hit a small, hollow plastic ball and return it over the net. Players score points by getting the ball over the net; points are tallied when the ball is hit into a side alley, and points can also be scored by hitting the paddle of an opposing player. Pickleball was invented in 1963 by Joe and Patty Bell, and the game quickly caught on with people in Washington state.

WHO INVENTED PICKLEBALL?

Pickleball was created in 1965 by Joel Pritchard as a simple weekend activity for his family who were bored. This game is a hybrid of various sports such as tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Pickleball grew in popularity throughout time, and many individuals began to play it. The game’s success stems from its simple rules and the fact that it just requires basic equipment such as a paddle and a ball.

PICKLE BALL AS OLYMPIC SPORT

NO! Pickle ball is not yet an Olympic Sport.

When we think of the Olympics, we automatically think of a sporting event when participants from all over the world compete in various games at an international level. When you think of the Olympics, there are a few sports that immediately come to mind: diving, swimming, gymnastics, bobsledding, and so on. Pickleball, as we all know, is a relatively new sport that is rapidly gaining popularity throughout the world.

It is necessary for OIC to take notice of pickleball’s inclusion in the Olympics. Pickleball is presently not an Olympic sport. The Olympics, as we all know, is the most watched sporting event on television. As a result, the new sport did not receive much attention at first. The worldwide stage and inclusion in the Olympics are clear indicators that a sport has progressed. As you can see, pickleball is a rapidly expanding sport with indisputable popularity and an ever-increasing global presence, but reaching the Olympics is no easy feat.

OIC’s criteria for inclusion

In order to add a game to the Olympics, we must first understand the rules under which a game can be introduced. A game can be added to the Olympics if it meets the Olympic standards. Aside from that, no new sport can be added to the Olympics. Regardless of how popular the game is. The rules for selecting a game for the Olympics are as follows:

• First of all, the game must be under the control of a non-governmental international organization. The reason for this rule is that no one adds their own rules in games. Every game must have permanent rules which are common in all the world.
• If the game meets the OIC’s first criterion, we’ll go on to the next set of rules. Second, the game must adhere to the Olympic Movement’s Anti-Doping Code. According to this rule, all game players should refrain from using drugs in order to improve their performance. It’s an important  regulation
• Furthermore, a game must be popular in three continents. And it has to be performed there. However, if the game is played by men, it should be available in 75 nations across three continents. And, if the game is to be played by women, it must be played in 40 countries across three continents.
• Fortunately, even if the game satisfies all of the OIC’s standards, it is still unclear whether or not it will be included in the Olympics! There are several non-doped, popular games that are not included in the Olympics because they are under the jurisdiction of non-governmental organisations.
• There are a few other regulations that OIC must follow during the selecting process. For example, if the country hosting the game is unable to provide all of the necessary amenities to players. It is not a part of the Olympic Games. Because we all know that the Olympics is more about business than anything else, the game must be entertaining and able to pique people’s curiosity.
• Finally, if your game follows all of the regulations and becomes extremely popular, it may be considered for inclusion in the Olympics. To add to your game, OIC simply needs to decide to exclude a previous game that is no longer beneficial.

WILL IT EVER BE AN OLYMPIC SPORT?

Pickleball currently has virtually little possibility of becoming an Olympic sport, which is a disappointment. The game is not competitive; it is simply a healthy and enjoyable sport to participate in. Furthermore, pickleball is still not frequently played in many countries. The IFP (International Federation of Pickleball) is working to get pickleball into the Olympics.

The regulations will most likely be adjusted in the future to make the game more competitive. Pickleball is also gaining popularity in nations other than the United States. As a result, a pickleball game may hopefully  appear in the Olympics in the future.