All sports approved for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are very American. It’s not a coincidence

Yesterday, the International Olympic Committee approved Five new sports included for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. If the surprise debut at Tokyo 2020 is anything to go by Skiing And in Paris 2024 it will be Break danceIn 2028, the moment of glory will come for cricket, squash, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, and softball (women’s baseball category).

The organization defends the “digital appeal” and “popularity” of some of these sports, but the reality is that… Adapting the Olympic program to the organizing country It’s something that happens forever. These factors clearly favor and attract the attention of countries with Anglo-American or British roots.

Let’s remember this at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan) 2020 Kata and Kumite were introduced, traditional specialties of Japanese country. But the IOC has been very interested in these matters since the beginning of the century. In Paris in 1924, Savat, French Boxing was involved.. In those same Olympics, Basque pelota, baton baton (another French martial art) and polo were also included.

In Antwerp 1920 There was an unknown class called korfballA kind of “Dutch football”. On this occasion, it was just an exhibition sport and one match was played: Amsterdam vs South Holland.

On the other hand, it must be emphasized that cricket, which will be played in the Twenty20 system (shorter duration), was already an Olympic game in 1900. Today it is. The second most popular sport in the world, with 2.5 billion followers. Lacrosse was also part of two tournaments in 1904 and 1908, and later became an exhibition sport in 1928, 1932, and 1948.

As the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, explained, It’s a statementThe selection of these five new sports “is in line with… American sports culture It will showcase the most popular sports to the world.” According to John Harper, director of operations for the organizing committee, the aim is to innovate and have the greatest possible impact. Show a sport rooted in their country’s culture Conversely, it made other internationally relevant sports known in the United States.

Baseball, which It has been described as the “national game” (“The national sport”), according to the New York Times, was booming in the country until a few years ago. As for lacrosse, it is part of its history Because of her Native American roots. The sport gained notoriety in the West when a Jesuit missionary named Jean de Brébeuf noticed Huron Indians playing it around 1600. It was the first team sport on the continent. The goal is to score a goal by holding a rubber ball in the slot of the stick and shooting it into the goal.

Anything American Football sells. Or how to attract younger people

Flag football made its first appearance at the Olympic Games. The reason is primarily this American football is killing it in the United States. It is the most popular sport in the country, Just like we said at MagnetTaylor Swift’s influence is now transforming the NFL into a mass phenomenon unlike any other in its history. raid celebrities In this sport, American football benefits beyond its sporting aspect. Rule of social networks.

For those who don’t know, teach football It is a type of American football that is played without tackling. Since there is no connection, it is also the most comprehensive. Instead of throwing the opposing player to the ground, the defending team must remove one of the two flags or handkerchiefs hanging on either side of the opponent’s waist. The ultimate goal is the same, run the ball or pass it to the opposite end zone.

But this transformation or Americanization of sports will come before 2028. For the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, there will also be new sports such as broke downA copy of Break dance. He turns around An urban dance style that originated in the Bronx, New YorkDuring the 1970s as part of hip hop culture. Although there is some criticism about whether it is considered a sport or not, the truth is that it is a sport with a large athletic presence: overhead flips, somersaults, jumps, and complex body movements.

Elite athletes are known as B-boys and B-girls. According to the International Olympic Committee, the letter “B” stands for “break,” and refers to a short interval with an intense rhythm. In Paris 2024, the competition will be held at La Concordia where participants will face each other 1 vs 1 battles They dance to random music they don’t know beforehand that a DJ plays.

The goal of including this method in games is not just historical or cultural; Audience renewalAbove all Getting closer to new generations Who have little or no interest in this global sporting event. It’s something we saw with other urban sports debuting at Tokyo 2020, such as climbing, skateboarding, BMX freestyle and 3×3 basketball.

Photos: Unsplash

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