Olympics sports... Why some professional sports players can play while others aren't?

Question

Professional basketbal players as well as tennis players can play in the olympics; whereas professiobal boxer aren't...

Don't you think that the sports included in the olympics are rather favoring the europian/american players since they really play these sports? Why not include a sports that is truly Asian like sepak takraw?

Answer 1

It's not like that. It depends on how much the sport is played by the world. For example, American Football is not in the olympics. And it's American. So yeah, it's not about Asian, or European or American.

Answer 2

What the h**l is sepak takraw and would any europian/american wanna play it.

Answer 3

I thought Judo, Karate and Tae Kwon Do were 'asian' originating sports.

I think, for the most part, the Olympic commitee tries to pick/keep sports that have a wider international following.  So, obviously, soccer is a big one - played on all continents, very popular.  That's why they're ditching softball or hardball or whatever - or, so I hear.  Because only the Americans and cubans have expressed any interest in it.  For the most part they do okay.  I still think table-tennis is a joke.  The only people who participate to any degree are from the asian countries.

There are very few sports in the summer olympics I think favour the americans/europeans.  BMX'ing is one.  They're already ditching baseball.  Otherwise, it's all pretty even really.  And rowing - because if you look at whose medalling it's all white western countries.  But it's got a big enough base of competitors I doubt it's going anywhere.

They're not going to pick really obscure sports like lacross or sepak takraw (no idea what that is).  They don't have the following.  They're not widely played.

If you ask me, if they wanted to add some more international sports rugby and cricket are the way to go.

And how about some 'african' sports.  At least asia is somewhat represented through badminton/tabletennis/martial arts.  What has africa got?

Answer 4

This has been a practice for many long years. Olympic association has  betrayed many professional by not allowing them to participate in Olympics. This has been removed in Tennis so Federer and Nadal are playing now. But in sports like Snooker and Billiards and Chess players are not allowed to participate. This restriction must be removed immediately.  

Answer 5

In boxing, professional and amateurs have different rules. Amateurs fight for only 4 rounds, safety first, helmet wearing, win by points game. Professional boxing is a bloody, 10 to 12 rounds try-to-win-by-knockout game. Because of this, the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) continues to restrict participation in the Olympics to amateur boxers.

Answer 6

I agree it should be open to every sports person.

They have to include sports that are played by a wide ranging number of countries.

sepak takraw and muay thai are not widely contested sports.

Though I'd love to see them as exhibition sports.

Answer 7

I totally agree with you it hsould be open to every sports person