Bowling News, Editorials
Why Isn’t Bowling an Olympic Sport? The Five Main Reasons
Bowling is a sport loved by many, with its exciting competitions and universal appeal. Yet, despite its popularity, it has never been officially included in the Olympics. Here are five main reasons why bowling isn’t part of this prestigious global event.
1. Lack of Appeal to Younger Demographics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and advertisers often prefer sports that draw in a younger viewership. Unfortunately, bowling doesn’t quite hit this mark. While many young people do enjoy bowling recreationally, it hasn’t yet captured the youthful audience that the Olympics and advertisers desire, making it less appealing for inclusion.
2. Unequal Playing Conditions
In most sports, there’s a level playing field for all contestants. In bowling, however, this isn’t always the case. This is especially true when comparing right-handed and left-handed bowlers. Lane conditions can change throughout a game, affecting players differently. This creates a potential inequality that goes against the fair competition ethos of the Olympics.
3. Unsuccessful IOC Voting
For a sport to become part of the Olympics, it must be voted in by the IOC. Both pole dancing and bowling have been up for consideration, but neither sport has garnered enough votes to make the cut. This lack of support from the IOC is a significant barrier to bowling’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.
4. Absence from Final Shortlists
Even though bowling was shortlisted for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it didn’t make the final selection. The sport was considered among eight others, but it ultimately wasn’t chosen. This exclusion from the final shortlist is another hurdle for bowling’s potential Olympic status.
5. No Paralympic Presence
10-pin bowling has never featured at the Paralympic Games level. This absence is notable as the Paralympics often mirror the sports included in the Olympics. Without representation at the Paralympic level, bowling’s chances of being included in the Olympics are further diminished.
In conclusion, several factors contribute to bowling’s absence from the Olympics. From its lack of appeal to younger demographics, to unequal playing conditions, unsuccessful voting, exclusion from shortlists, and no Paralympic presence, these are the primary reasons why we don’t see bowling in the Olympics. Despite this, bowling remains a beloved sport enjoyed by millions worldwide.
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Changing lane conditions is really no more influential than changing weather conditions in outdoor sports.
A team may be with or against a wind in a first half….at half time the wind dies …or changes direction……lane draws for athletics. Ect
Absolutely spot on! I think most of the other negative reasons against bowling in the Olympics are garbage as well.
they was all piss poor excuses. I am surprised pole dancing did not make it before us to be honest. Horse jumping dulling pistols all real events even Walking yes walking. Because so many para-olympic people are into walking and horse jumping. Bowling is thought to be as old as 3200BC. Today the sport is growing again. I demand we get our game in.
Yet the Olympics has so-called “sports” in which the winner is decided by judges (gymnastics, figure skating, etc.). They should be eliminated, not events in which the participants decide the outcomes.
Now you have string pins it never will as bowling has been reduced to an arcade game with strings and the usbc has succeeded to make sure it never will be.
Strings don’t make it an arcade game – they don’t eliminate the skills required of the bowler and given the improvements, the difference may be a slightly lower average. No one complained with the technology introduced by ball changes from solid rubber to various cores and surfaces.
Bowling is not just physical, it also involves incredible perception, focus and concentration.
The excuses are just that but for one – acceptance of the youth is key. Yes, we have some collegiate competition but nothing like other sports. At the professional level, we have many good bowlers but enough to make it a worldwide desire – not yet. And there is a controversy over the scoring system which highlights how little is known of the game. Might explain why cricket isn’t there.
True. But what college competitions are happening for breakdancing?
No bowling…but fencing…. really??
How about badminton or break dancing, what a joke!
what’s the problem with badminton? it’s one of the popular sport amongst Asian youth & some countries in Europe like a Denmark.
Anyone know who I could talk to about the UK-based campaign to have bowling recognised as an Olympic sport, please?
Article: ” it hasn’t yet captured the youthful audience that the Olympics and advertisers desire, making it less appealing for inclusion.”
And judo has millions of viewers?
Article: “Unequal Playing Conditions”
Golf, tennis and skiing (for winter olympics) also have unequal playing conditions. Those competitions are run outside. In golf, the wind can change in an instant or a golf ball could hit a squirrel or bird for one player and not for the other. Track & field also has unequal playing conditions if a runner can run into another runner and knock them down and out of the race.
Bowling was an exhibition sport in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Might be some of you are too young to remember :-) Debbie McMullen was the female competitor for the USA but I don’t recall who the male was.
Bowling has to start taking itself more seriously again to be considered for the Olympics. Stop the ridiculous celebrity events, stop allowing fans to yell at players with beers in their hands, stop allowing coaches and ball reps.on the lanes and allow the public to see the concentration, skills and determination needed to win at a competitive level. That’s what makes this game so special.
Not in the Paralympics? Is diving in the Paralympics? Bowling is not in the Olympics, yet “sports” in which judges decide the winner are.
No Bowling, but break dancing give me a break.
Archery is an Olympic sport. It does not require that much physicality. It does require skill just like bowling. Who ever said that bowling does not require too much strength never bowled in a tournament that requires you to throw your 16 pound bowling ball for 6 or more games in a day
And yet they have breakdancing in 2024…can’t imagine paralympic break dancing and there are scores of ‘youth’ who love bowling. The alleys are packed with high schools bowling tournaments on weekends. Just poor excuses to keep out a classic sport.
If breakdancing can now be a sport in the Olympics then why can’t bowling??
The IOC is just making excesses, the ezcuess of changing lane conditions is just a cop out. Maybe the fear of taking on a challenging sport like bowling is a bit intimidating. We have bowling in The Special Olympics and those in wheelchairs use ramps. So, either you bowl un assisted or you bowl with assistance. Bowlers are divisioned baised on avg/skill level but either way everyone bowls. I think the IOC should take a page from The Special Olympics.
One of the main reasons for it not being included in the Olympic in my opinion is not every country can afford a bowling alley like a lot of the Africa nations and smaller Pacific Islander nations
Bowling should be in the Olympics. If the IOC doesn’t want to count the score as a perfect game (300) they can play the game as (low ball) like Pros do to read the lanes in practice. Closest one to a score of 90 wins (perfect score) combination score of 9 in.each frame in other words 54,63, 81, 72, etc and ball must stay on lane. Every player has the same type of ball and certified as well as the lane. I’ve bowled in a lot of Tournaments were the ball was weighed and balance checked and if the ball was over balanced (too much finger weight) you couldn’t use the ball. I had one that I couldn’t use. For the 2028 Olympics USBC and I.O.C. Must get together on this banned sport.