The 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics is set to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, marking the third time the French capital will host the Games after 1900 and 1924. Paris joins London as the second city to have hosted three Olympiads (1908, 1948, 2012).
The 2024 Games will feature 32 sports, including the 28 “core” Olympic sports. The event will also welcome four new additions: breaking, skateboarding, surfing, and sports climbing.
For a new sport to be included in the Olympics, it must undergo a rigorous selection process. First, the sport must be governed by an international federation and adhere to the rules established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The sport must demonstrate global participation, meeting specific criteria like being practised in a minimum number of countries and continents. Crucially, the sport must also establish a robust anti-doping program, with regular testing conducted both during and outside competitions.
Once these requirements are met, the sport’s federation must submit a petition to the IOC, outlining its case for inclusion. The IOC’s Olympic Charter outlines specific eligibility criteria. A sport must be practised by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in no fewer than 40 countries and on three continents.
The IOC also emphasizes the importance of a sport being physically demanding, explaining why chess, despite its widespread popularity, has not yet been included. Furthermore, the IOC does not recognize machine-based or motorised sports, eliminating the possibility of motorsport being featured in the Games.
If a sport successfully meets all the criteria outlined in the Olympic Charter, the IOC’s Executive Board may recommend its inclusion in a future edition of the Olympics, ultimately leading to its inclusion in the Games Programme.
