ESPN and Billiards

[Squinty42]

Maybe not too many of us want to watch trick shots, but the average Joe would much rather watch it then a regular pool match. Why do you think it is shown on ESPN quite often?

I don't know about that, there's not enough herb on the planet to watch an hour of trickshots.

 

[jay helfert]

So here is the word on Billiards and the Olympics!

Billiards as an Olympic Sport
Billiards as an Olympic sport is something that billiard enthusiasts have long wanted to see, and many are searching for it via the internet this year. Well, we hate to disappoint, but it isn't part of the 2008 Olympic Games, but we're a lot closer than we were before. In fact, Cue Sports are already included in the Asian Games, SEA Games, Mediterranean Games.

Ever since in the 1950's many attempts have been made in order for Billiards to possibly achieve the Olympic Recognition, but all of them to no avail. Two major obstacles were standing in the way; Billiards did not comply with the definition of Sports that was valid at this point in time, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) demanded for a possible recognition one organization in charge of all Billiards Sports. You can imagine how difficult this task would be, given that Billiards, Carom, Pool and Snooker did share the origin of Billiards, but have developed separate from each other ever since in the middle of the 19th century.

Today's reality, however, is that for Billiards at the Olympic level, the World Confederation of Billiard Sports (WCBS) now represent all games under the cue sports umbrella that are being pushed for inclusion in the Olympics. In 1998, billiards was recognized by the IOC as an "international sports federation". Experts say, and agree, that this is the first step to getting billiards in the Olympic games. This organization is now campaigning for inclusion in either the 2012 Olympics, having been unsuccessful with getting cue sports into the 2008 Olympic Games.

In July 1996 the IOC decided to grant the WCBS a provisional recognition for two years. That was a first step. Then, another glimmer of hope came in 1998 when in a press conference, the IOC President stated that "the IOC is anxious to include Billiards Sports in the Olympic Games as quickly as possible, but the WCBS will have to decide which discipline it would like to include."

The World Confederation of Billiards Sports actually has a page on the IOC website, as a registered International Sports Federation. The WCBS submitted an application for billiards participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in May of 2001, but were rejected in August 2002. The reason the IOC provided to the WCBS in 2002 to justify their denial of billiards into the 2008 Olympic games was that there had been a previous decision not to take on any additional sports for the Beijing Olympics.

At the previous summer games, the IOC advertised a new regulation, however, which says that the IOC will scrutinize all current and aspiring sports for inclusion using the same strict guidelines. This may just be the chance Billiards needs to get into the Olympics. Unfortunately, the IOC has a 28-sport, 300 event, 10,500 athlete limit.


6diggs
digg

This is the same old tune they've been playing for years. It won't be part of the 2012 Olympics and probably no chance for 2016 either. 2020 is also highly doubtful. The years keep going by and nothing is happening. Meanwhile professional pool refuses to die thanks to a few independent promoters and a hard core of exceptional players. Plus a fervent fan base that happens to love the game. If the same efforts were made to make professional pool more visible to the masses, particularly in the USA, then some progress might be seen.

One thing is a certainty. If there was a major professional pool tour, we would have a much better chance of ever seeing it included in the Olympics. It doesn't take a genius to figure this one out. Just a simpleton like me.

 

[Rocky247]

Well the business model or outline is there.Just look at the PGA and see how they have organized and promoted golf to were it is today. What billiards needs is a more unified cohesive program with members promoting it at a national level.Also a marketing program that addresses the idea of promoting billiards and you need the pro's to sign on.

 

[Rocky247]

There is no pool tab...BUT BMX is covered. So when you click on that you get this description of a guy on a kids bike jumping over a mound! LMAO!!

 

[rossaroni]

I don't know about that, there's not enough herb on the planet to watch an hour of trickshots.

Do you know how boring a regular pool match is to the average person? Do you think ESPN shows much more trickshot competitions because the ratings are worse then a regular pool match?

 

[JCIN]

ESPN just barely covers the UFC. They fill stadiums around the world. On the reg.

I think pool need not hold it's breath.









-Bonus points to anyone who caught the reference-

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