Let`s start thinking about Footbag in the Olympics

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 21 Feb 2005 20:04

It`s not gonna happen soon, but it wouldn`t hurt for us to get real informed on the topic, and maybe set things in motion in our respective countries. I`m starting this thread so you can post relevant, useful info you find, and for people to talk to each other if they have success getting the ball rolling. This thread is mostly targeted at the Europeans on the forum, like Denmark, Poland, Hungary and other small countries. I`m looking into the requirements in Japan at the moment. Anyway, the following post is a good place to start I think. I have highlighted sections which seemed important to me.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 21 Feb 2005 20:05

Section 52 of the Charter, entitled "Admission of Sports, Disciplines, and Events". This is the section that lists the requirements that must be met before any sport can be considered for inclusion in the Olympic Games. I read this section very carefully, and it appears that these are the minimum requirements:

Minimum Requirements to Be An Olympic Sport

The Sport Must be Widely Practiced
"Only sports widely practiced by men in at least seventy-five countries and on four continents, and by women in at least forty countries and on three continents, may be included in the programme of the Games of the Olympiad." For Winter sports, the criteria is 25 countries on 3 continents.
(Olympic Charter Section 52, Paragraph 1.1.1)

The Sport Must Have International Standing
"To be included in the programme of the Olympic Games, events must have a recognized international standing both numerically and geographically, and have been included at least twice in world or continental championships."
(Olympic Charter Section 52, Paragraph 3.2)

There Must be Drug Testing
"Only sports that apply the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code and in particular perform out-of-competition testing in accordance with the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency will be included in the programme of the Olympic Games."
(Olympic Charter Section 52, Paragraph 1.1.3)

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 21 Feb 2005 20:09

In order to meet the requirements for number of countries, our best bet is Europe. If there are any small European nations which don`t have footbag scenes, it should be a major goal to go there and start up scenes.

As for the continents, we`re in good shape.

1. North America (Canada, US)
2. Europe (Czech, Finland, France)
3. Australia (New Zealand

OK, Australia)
4. Asia (Japan)

I know there are women who play in Japan, US, and Europe, so we also meet the female requirements for continents.

I will look into it more, but I think the sports need to be officially recognized by the governments of the said 75 countries. And we need to make federations.

zachatree · Post by **zachatree** » 21 Feb 2005 20:14

this is probley the number one thing i want to see happen, just how great would it be, so great. playing footbag in honnor of the god zeus

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 21 Feb 2005 22:13

International Federation of Footbag: this sounds like the IFPA. I wonder if the IFPA counts as this? Will look into what it takes to be considered a sports federation.

http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/if/index_uk.asp

It`s also worth reading the Olympic Charter. http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_122.pdf Specifically, page 88 (section 47)

It also appears that while footbag needs to be played in 75 countries and 4 continents, we only (!) need to have footbag events in 50 countries and 3 continents. Still daunting, but more do-able. That is if I understood it correctly. Page 90, section 3.3

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 21 Feb 2005 22:26

Thanks Ken for the info, as I'm reading the olympic charter right now and looking up various information about the subject. I really think we can do this. I as of right now have made it my life's goal to see our dream come true.

Footbag net shall be included as well as freestyle footbag

EDIT:

Bye-laws to Tules 28 and 29

1.2

Proof must be adduced that the national federations which are members of the NOC exercise a specific and real on-going sports activity in their country and internationaly, in particular by organising and participating in competitions and implementing training programmes for athletes

I know I might be getting a couple steps ahead here, since I know of no national federations that regulate the sport of footbag, but we can show proof of on-going activity and competitions

Obviously the first step is organizing national federations for the sport of footbag in each country. Then becoming members of an national olympic committee (NOC), which should has to be recognized by an International Sports Federation (IF)

EDIT2:

For the IFPA to be recognized as a IF, it must represent all of the national federations of each country required by the olympic charter, as ken stats show, we need 70 countries over 4 continents, again europe plays a huge part of this since they have many countries. Africa where are you!!!

Also, becoming an olympic recognized sport isnt the end of the journey, If the sport wants to be actually played at the Olympic games, you must submit an event to the "program of the olympic games" simlar to running sports having 100m/1000m/10000m. Also must have a recognized "disciplines" ie hurdles, relay in running ie freestyle, net in footbag

Even when you are submited to the program of OG as a sport/discipline, you must wait 7 years prior to the specific games to play

Chapter 5

Events

3.2

To be included in the program of the Olympic Games, events must have a recognised international standing both numerically and geographically, and have been included at least twice in world or continental championships

So that means when worlds happens, it must be governed by the IFPA, which regulates the national federations and must show participation of international proportions

3.3

Only events pracised my men in at least 50 countries/3 continents, women 30 countries/3 continents, may be included in the program of OG

Again, actually have footbag IN the oympic games, this is required

You must submit 3 years prior to the specific games to be played

Bye-law to Rule 49

IFs (IFPA) have the following rights and responsiblites

1.1
To establish technical rules of their own sports, disiplines and events, including, but not limited to, results standards, technical specifications of equipment, installations and facilities, rules of technical movements, exercises or games, rules of technical disqualificaiton adn rules of judging and timing

If i'm not mistaken, the IFPA already has this written in their charter. Except one big thing, equipment! Most of us argue over this, so we would seriously have to think about some rules and set forth regualtions on this topic

hacksterbator · Post by **hacksterbator** » 21 Feb 2005 23:08

C-Fan wrote:...but I think the sports need to be officially recognized by the governments of the said 75 countries. And we need to make federations.

yes, this is the first priority in getting footbag into the olympics. we need 75 national government recration departments to accept footbag as a sport. Footbag Canada would be a department of Sport Canada, then come provincial/ state branches, so we have Footbag Manitoba, a branch of Sport Manitoba, etc. we need leaders to fill positions, Presidents, secretaries, athelete program managers, etc. the number of people needed to fill these positions just for one country is daunting on it's own, but not impossible. alot of planning and organization will be needed...

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 21 Feb 2005 23:12

hacksterbator wrote:. the number of people needed to fill these positions just for one country is daunting on it's own, but not impossible. alot of planning and organization will be needed...

For Canada and America, yes, I think it will be daunting. But smaller countries like Japan, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and other small European countries should have an easier path.

Blue_turnip · Post by **Blue_turnip** » 02 Mar 2005 04:14

Ever since moving to singapore 2 months ago I have been hell bent on creating a great footbag organisation for Singapore. Give it 4-5 more years and it will be good. I already have 2 members excluding myself. And plus if you know anything about Geography of this region you will be able to see how there are many countries which can fulfil the Olympic rules thingy.
This is a really good Idea. Once it does eventually become an olympic sport it will rapidly increase in size. As millions of people will hear about footbag.

footbinc · Post by **footbinc** » 02 Mar 2005 08:20

Getting this done in Canada would be madness. The Takraw assocation tried it, and while they are more organized than we footbaggers are, the executive director was saying something like 2000 registered players are required here for recognition. THats a shitload of people. Although a tourney with 2000 people would kick so much ass.

Just my 2 bits

pedler · Post by **pedler** » 28 Mar 2005 13:49

I looked into it quite a long time ago, but I think getting footbag into the X-games is a much more doable task. At least short term (less than 10 years). But I would definatly love to see it in either arena.

Guest_2 · Post by **Guest_2** » 28 Mar 2005 14:11

Actually, I can see footbag being in the Olympics within the next decade. I think it would be necessary to get them into the X-Games 5 years previous to them appearing though. Already there is a vast enough audience for the X-Games. A guest appearance in the next couple years of maybe Vasek & the next year a little more, and then more until There's an entire good section devoted to it. X-Games would be a good start, and are very, very doable within the next 5 years. I apologize that this doesn't actually pertain to the topic of 'how to proliferate footbag'; but I personally believe it will happen, and there is nothing that can be done to stop it...except drug testing

Will Digges · Post by **Will Digges** » 28 Mar 2005 16:45

The only thing I see a problem for us footbaggers is the Drug testing

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 28 Mar 2005 17:22

Interesting. Footbag in the Olympics definitely is a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. If footbag were more popular, we could set up federations more easily, and get into the Olympics more easily. If footbag were in the Olympics, it would make footbag more popular.

I think getting exposure at the X-Games is a good goal. If we can get footbag more exposure and increase the scene, then we will likely have a better chance to build federations in the larger countries.

As for people in smaller countries, I think it`s worth a shot to try making federations already.

david · Post by **david** » 28 Mar 2005 18:29

im not against spreading footbag at all, but do you think all the work and money that would have to go into getting us into the olympics would be worth it?

also, when you think about it, there are other sports way father along then us like skateboarding that arent in the olympics yet. you'd think they'd get into it before us.

footbinc · Post by **footbinc** » 28 Mar 2005 19:45

TheVindicator wrote:Actually, I can see footbag being in the Olympics within the next decade.

Not to be the bringer of bad news, but this will not happen. This wont happen in 20 years.

Footbag needs waaaaaaaaaaay more players, even to get into the x-games. How many people show up to worlds? 200? say 60 net players?
Things like the X-Games have regional qualifiers, invitation only events. The people competing are widdled down from like 4000-5000 entrants. besides, to get into the olympics, you need to be a demo sport first. Then you wait 4-8 years after that for inclusion.

Wont Happen

footbinc · Post by **footbinc** » 28 Mar 2005 19:50

and because I always think of the best arguments later

Another reason that footbag (freestyle) wouldn't be in the olympics is the judging bit. Same reason skating and rollerblading likely wont make it. The IOC has made it more than clear that it no longer wants to introduce
"udged" events. Why that is is quite clear (Sale/Pelletier scandal, gym scandal this year). Net, Maybe, but Takraw has a way better chance

Come to the Dark Side.

pedler · Post by **pedler** » 31 Mar 2005 10:49

really there are two sides to each of those arguements that can be made for this stings' sake.

Yes, I agree that footbag would need WAY more players to be considered for either the olypics or x-games. Actually not so much players, but players who contribute to the community of footbag through events etc. the sport is really more popular than we give it credit. The only problem is that Its more commonly know as hacky sack. If all the people who played hacky sack were aware of the existance of Footbag as a sport, than there would be a hugh crossover I think. Just like there has been for skateboard event, where once it was just a way to get around and something for surfers to fool around on, not its a respected sport that overshadows the slacker/stoner/hoodlum conseptions of its origins. Hacky sack carries with it the same stereotypes, which is a who other hurdel (this was dicussed heavily on some other string), And why I think Footbag would stand a better chance of admitance into the olympics or x-games if pushed by a European country.

As for the comment that there are alot of other sports further up the list for acceptance.... Im sure there are tons, but Footbag should have a real chance. I mean how many people (besides Canadians) ever even heard of Curling untill it was in the Olympics. Check out the list of sports in it, there are quite a few ive never heard of.

I think that if the goal is to really expose the sport in a way that will popularize, than it would fit into the x-games more easily. Im sure that there are hundreds of kids outside of x-game events who actually kick in a circle, because its the same culture (i.e. skateboarding, "hacky sack", BMX, punk rock, etc) So if some good PR was done I bet that the x-games would show some sort of exibition event if the top players would show up for it. Since the culture is already there it would pick up interest quickly, and maybe after a year or two of that, some events would be allowed into the X-games offically. the olymipics would require at least 10 years of the sport growing at this rate before it is really as recognized a sport as, say, handball.

delakong · Post by **delakong** » 01 Apr 2005 06:46

Isn't there a way we could petition ESPN to have footbag? If we could flood them with mail I think that would be a good way to get noticed.
I really don't think footbag should be included in the X-games. You would think the same if you thought about what "X" stands for. But I do see it as a great promotional platform.

[quote="pedler']If all the people who played hacky sack were aware of the existance of Footbag as a sport, than there would be a hugh crossover I think.[/quote]

It'd be good to tell them. I don't know about you guys but during the summer I see alot of people kickin. From now on, since I too just got found out about "footbag" recently but have been kickin for years, I'm gonna inform every kicker I see of a footbag related site. If you live near a beach there are always people hackin that you can tell about freestyle footbag.

TwistedTorque · Post by **TwistedTorque** » 01 Apr 2005 11:52

C-Fan wrote:There Must be Drug Testing

That would mess with my olympic level shred 30...