Why is Baseball Not an Event at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Baseball has been part of the Olympics for a long time. Baseball fans were excited to see their favorite sport at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. But then they got some shocking news - baseball was not going to be included! Many fans could not believe it. So, why exactly was baseball excluded this time around? Let’s find out!
Baseball first appeared at the Olympics in 1904 at the St. Louis Games. However, it was just a demonstration sport, and no medals were awarded at that point. Over the next several decades, baseball continued appearing as an exhibition sport at the 1912, 1936, 1952, 1956, and 1964 Olympics.
It wasn't until the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics that baseball transitioned to an actual tournament format, though still as a demonstration event. Four years later, at the 1988 Seoul Games, baseball kept its demonstration status. But those tournaments paved the way for baseball to finally achieve full Olympic sport status, and they started giving medals at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
From 1992 through 2008, baseball was a core event at the Summer Olympics. However, the sport and softball were shockingly voted out of the Olympic program in 2005, leading to its removal after the 2008 Beijing Games. The next two Olympics in 2012 and 2016 went on without baseball.
Just when it looked like baseball may never return to the Olympic stage, it returned at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games in 2021 - but only as a special one-off event requested by the Japanese hosts.
So, what does it take for a sport like baseball to earn a coveted spot on the Olympic program? The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has established criteria that sports must meet to be viable Olympic events.
Firstly, the sport must enjoy global popularity and sports participation in many continents. Of course, baseball checks this box with established professional leagues in the Americas, Asia, and even parts of Europe. It even has a vibrant community of betters in these regions, with fans setting stakes on various platforms, like online betting on sports at 10bet.com. However, the sport is not as popular in certain regions like Africa and parts of Europe.
The IOC also values Olympic tradition and legacy when evaluating sports. Although baseball has existed for over a century, it doesn’t have a strong Olympic legacy due to the inconsistent appearances and long absences from the Games.
Logistical issues like fitting into the overall Olympic schedule and having venues to accommodate the sport also factor into the decision. The Olympic calendar can get crowded with many different sports fighting for a limited number of slots.
When the 2024 Paris organizers were putting together their Olympic program, baseball was not among the proposed sports. Instead, the host city successfully lobbied to add the urban/youth-focused events of breakdancing, sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing.
This decision seemed to hinge on two key factors: cost and perceived appeal to younger audiences. The new events require relatively minimal venue infrastructure compared to building baseball stadiums. They also align with the IOC's vision to innovate and generate more millennial and Gen Z engagement.
While baseball has attempted to increase its popularity and attract the next generation of fans, France doesn’t have a strong domestic baseball following. This made it easy for the Paris organizers to exclude the game from the next Olympic event.
Baseball's supporters and governing bodies continue advocating for the sport's rightful place on the Olympic stage. Baseball is becoming more popular, and the number of professional leagues continues to grow yearly. A survey found that younger generations' participation is growing in countries like the United States.
From a business perspective, having baseball in the Olympics could generate significant revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, merchandise sales, and more. This income could benefit the Olympic movement.
It's disappointing for baseball fans that their sport won't be part of the big event in Paris in 2024. But they can understand some of the reasons why it was left out this time. The Olympic games are constantly evolving to try to stay current and appeal to younger audiences.
All hope is not lost, though. Baseball fans can remain hopeful that their beloved sport will return at future Olympic games soon. After all, baseball is already confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The overall goal should be to grow the sport's popularity worldwide so its place at the Olympics becomes permanent. Only time will tell if that happens.
