Why isn't pool in the olympics?

[Bob Jewett]

Two words: Drug Testing

Only half a joke. In fact there is already drug testing for billiard sports and one person has already been "caught" (but it was apparently a prescription that was not understood to be banned). Here is one doping testing report -- search on billiards: http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/R...012-Anti-Doping-Testing-Figures-Report-EN.pdf

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I feel like snooker will make to olympics before pool, and prob in 10-20 years haha

Well, that's an interesting question. Right now the IOC looks at all the disciplines as one sport, so it appears either they all get in (pool, carom, and snooker) or none of them do.

 

[one stroke]

but "table tennis" is...

come on... ping pong

Ping Pong ,,,Speed ,agility , fast reflexes , and eye hand ,, Pool ..Eye Hand .


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[Bob Jewett]

I feel like snooker will make to olympics before pool, and prob in 10-20 years haha

Judging from the format of cue sports at the World Games, which are considered a stepping stone to the Olympic Games, I think pool, snooker and carom will enter simultaneously if at all. You may want to check out the World Games site and review the billiards competition from the last one (2013).

On another note, the last I heard the Olympic games had eliminated all demonstration/exhibition sports because the current official sports already tax resources.

On a third note, cue sports are cheap to present and far more popular on a participation basis than some events currently in. Consider the equestrian events, for example.

 

[jhanso18]

Russian Curler...

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/o...-brings-competition-curling-article-1.1609311

yes please!

Also, I think pool could make it. It's just as interesting as most of the other olympic sports. Just need a base to push for it.

 

[fireball]

this topic is parallel to others like why isn't chess in the olympics? Why do many not consider poker a sport?

with chess, this is the lite version, some got together to form an international governing body and league. Frustrated with not being able to be in the olympics, started their own chess olympiad.

I think pool should take a nod form chess. Not just for the subtle reasons above, but also in ranking. Adopt an ELO ranking system for players instead vague B, A, AA, Master, Pro...sandbagging would be an issue, but that occurs in the chess world as well. Not to mention, ELO can lend itself to swiss style tournaments instead of massive brackets. There are pros and cons...

 

[SlickRick_PCS]

this topic is parallel to others like why isn't chess in the olympics? Why do many not consider poker a sport?

with chess, this is the lite version, some got together to form an international governing body and league. Frustrated with not being able to be in the olympics, started their own chess olympiad.

I think pool should take a nod form chess. Not just for the subtle reasons above, but also in ranking. Adopt an ELO ranking system for players instead vague B, A, AA, Master, Pro...sandbagging would be an issue, but that occurs in the chess world as well. Not to mention, ELO can lend itself to swiss style tournaments instead of massive brackets. There are pros and cons...

It's funny how you talk about the ELO system. I was researching about this very recently. I'm sure there could be modifications in trying to eliminate (or decrease) the sandbagging situation.

 

[SeabrookMiglla]

as someone else stated, its all about viewership. the olympics are all about sales and looks. im sure they are going to have female pole dancing in the olympics here pretty soon

 

[PETROBOY]

All those other sports have good organizations running them and all the players follow the governing bodies rules. We are a bunch of wild sheep with no Shepard. Also pool is played on to many different type of tables and pocket specs, that would have to be fixed as all other sports are played on the same equipment all over the world. And finally you will not find evidence of top athletes gambling in other sports and if they do they are punished.


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[Johnson]

there was talk recently about the ioc getting rid of wrestling to bring in a more lucrative sport yet ppl on here are still wondering if pool will ever be in the olmpics??

 

[naji]

I find it strange that a WORLDWIDE sport such as pocket billiards hasn't made it into the Olympics. I know that the pool culture in the US is not doing the best, but European and Asian countries are alive and strong... If table tennis and curling have a place in the Olympics, I see no reason that Pool/billiards can't be as well.

Is the issue that what games are played depend on country? I know Europe and Australia are big on snooker and billiards, but why not poll the international players and agree on a middle ground?

Olympic athletes are supported and funded by grants from their receptive government, a lot of work and money is spent on athletes for best chance for the gold; Unfortunately pool has the luck factor no matter how hard you practice (at pro level), which is a draw back to the Olympic competition, which is mainly endurance, and skill that plays big part in almost all games. Who knows it might make it one day.

 

[bdorman]

there was talk recently about the ioc getting rid of wrestling to bring in a more lucrative sport yet ppl on here are still wondering if pool will ever be in the olmpics??

At the IOC money talks. But I think there would be an uproar if they nixed wrestling. It was THE original Olympic sport.

Controversy makes money nervous. And cancelling wrestling would be controversial.

 

[itsfroze]

Never seen a thread with this topic before. :thumbup:

 

[pt109]

Why isn't pool in the Olympics?

'cause 'Olympic pool' is already taken?

:sorry:

 

[lee brett]

I also believe it can't even be considered until 2022. So it won't be happening any time soon.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Synchronized Swimming?

Come on now guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_wZpaLGCjo

These messy makeup women would scare the crap out of Tammy Faye Baker.

 

[mista335]

It would be too confusing.

Swimmers might turn up at the tables and guys with cues could end up standing on the blocks. Chlorine plays havoc with cues.

 

[CantEverWin]

At the IOC money talks. But I think there would be an uproar if they nixed wrestling. It was THE original Olympic sport.

Controversy makes money nervous. And cancelling wrestling would be controversial.

I think you missed the uproar. It was said that wrestling would be dropped. I wouldn't have known anything about it, except that I follow MMA closely. Eventually the UFC got behind a push to "save wrestling." It lasted quite awhile. I didn't pay really close attention, but I believe wrestling was voted out, but I'm not quite sure how it got back in.

 

[abbassi]

Its tough shooting balls with snow on them. The table slides on the snow too. Pool is not a winter sport.

 

[sjm]

Watching the Olympics as I read this. It was just noted by a commentator that the Kajakhstan cross country skier got $250,000 to train from his government.