“Is padel an Olympic sport?” Sports enthusiasts and professionals around the world are wondering about this as the padel’s popularity continues to rise.
Unfortunately, as of yet, padel is not an Olympic sport as it does not meet the necessary norms.
With its growing popularity and range over the sporting world, we could expect it to feature in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. However, certain criteria need to be met for its inclusion as an Olympic sport.
Requirements to be an Olympic Sport
For a sport to become an Olympic game, it must meet the set criteria issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Padel must comply with these 4 criteria to become an official Olympic sport.
4 Requirements for Padel to be an Olympic sport:
Comply with International Federation & Ethical Requirements:
The first criterion for Padel in Olympics is that it needs to have an international governing body that regulates the game on a global level. Moreover, the governing body needs to fulfill the ethical requirements of the IOC and regularly participate in tournaments and events. Padel meets this requirement with the International Padel Federation (FIP), which oversees padel’s global regulation while meeting the ethical norms set by the IOC.
Compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code:
Another key factor in gaining the padel Olympics recognition is to follow and implement the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA). The sport must adhere to the anti-doping rules and regulations. Under the FIP regulation, all professional padel players undergo the WADA code, which also meets this IOC standard.
No Motor Equipment Allowed:
The sports included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are the ones that do not involve the use of motor equipment or machines. Padel meets this criterion as it does not involve any motor equipment, as it is played with a racket and ball.
Minimum Countries Padel is Played:
For any sport to be included in the Olympic games, it needs to be practised in a minimum of 75 countries across 4 continents for men and 40 countries across 3 continents for women. This is the most challenging requirement for padel in the Olympics. While padel is played in almost all continents, it fails to comply with this criteria as it falls short of the number of countries in which it is played, especially in the men’s category.
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and its rage continues across all corners of the globe. When padel’s reach meets the requirement criteria, it is anticipated to feature in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
When will Padel be an Olympic Sport?
The International Olympic Committee strives to improve the process of introducing new sports into the game governed by international federations. Although Padel does not meet the required criteria yet, it has been recognised as having Association of IOC Recognized International Sport (ARISF) status. This implies that the sport will be monitored on a regular basis as it grows. When the sport meets all the criteria set by the IOC, it will be considered for selection at the Olympic Games. we can expect padel to debut at the Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.
Moreover, it is important to note that Olympic selection is very competitive. It features 206 countries and 40 sports, so before any sport debuts at the Olympics, the IOC authorises the game at least seven years prior.
So, it is evident that Padel will not feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as it has not received approval seven years in advance to compete in this particular edition. However, as the padel continues to grow in India and the rest of the world at the current pace, we may see padel in Brisbane Olympics.
Padel Rapid Growth Worldwide
Padel is growing globally at a rapid pace, becoming more professional and a bigger platform for sponsorship and business. Its unique blend of tennis and squash, played on a smaller court with walls, makes it an audience-friendly sport that people enjoy watching and playing. With the inclusion of squash in the LA 2028 Olympics, the potential of padel being featured in future editions might be possible.
It is played in over 130 countries, demonstrating its potential as a recreational, sport, and business venture. The FIP reports a presence in 90 countries with a player base of over 30 million, comprising all 5 continents.
The rise of padel in India is a testament to the sport’s growing popularity. With steady growth across the country, the number of padel courts in India has also significantly grown in cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad. This growth is a sign of the bright future that padel holds in India.
This growth is an important driver in building a strong foundation of a large number of players, professional players, and fans in padel. The International Padel Federation is also investing time and resources to increase the global reach of padel in tournaments in different corners of the world.
Reasons Why Padel Should Be Included in the Olympics
The International Olympic Committee recognised padel as an international sport. With more players getting on board, the potential for growth and awareness among upcoming players makes it one of the most talked about sports. Here are some reasons why padel should be included in future Olympic editions:
- Rapid Growth Worldwide: As mentioned above, it is played in more than 130 countries on all 5 continents, with a particularly strong presence in countries like India, Spain, Dubai, Italy, and Argentina, and it is thriving in the professional scene. Padel tournaments like the World Padel Tour (WPT) have captured global attention and drawn a large number of spectators.
- Inclusivity & Accessibility: One of the main reasons for the popularity of padel is its accessibility. The rules are simple and easy to pick up, making them ideal for players of all skill levels. Padel can be played by people of all genders and ages, as singles or doubles, promoting inclusivity. Also, padel is fast-paced and dynamic in nature, appealing to the young audience, broadcasters, and spectators alike.
- Strong Organizational Framework: The IOC has been recognised as an international sport, and the idea of the padel Olympics can soon become a reality. The FIP ensures adherence to the regulation of the sport and ethical practice across the world.
- Infrastructure & Support: The growing number of padel courts worldwide demonstrates the growth of infrastructure and support. Moreover, international and regional bodies are actively promoting the sport at the root level to build a strong foundation for the sport.
Based on the sport’s increasing popularity, the dream of padel as an Olympic game is a matter of time. If you are looking for an engaging, fun, yet athletic sport to break a sweat or unveil your competitive side, grab a padel paddle and visit the padel court near you.
