Why Is Racquetball Not in the Olympics? (4 Vital Reasons)

For a long time, the Olympic Games have been the most prestigious and internationally known competition worldwide. In the Olympics, athletes compete against each other in international competitions from all over the world. There have never been Olympic editions of racquetball since the creation of racquetball. So, why is racquetball not in the Olympics?

There are many reasons why racquetball isn’t included in the Olympic Games, but its small scope is the most obvious reason. IOC aims to include a wide range of popular sports that would attract many spectators worldwide. The past absence of racquetball does not mean the IOC will not include it in the future.

In this article, you will further know a few more reasons why racquetball is not in the Olympics. You will also learn whether there is any possibility of racquetball getting into the Olympics or not. So, keep reading.

Reasons Why Is Racquetball Not in the Olympics

Following are the reasons due to which racquetball is not a part of the Olympics.

1. Less Famous

Due to its lower popularity, racquetball is not a part of the Olympics. The IOC has little reason to include it in the Summer Games since it has many players in America. 

Also, most of the top players of racquetball are from America. So, as this sport is not famous worldwide, the IOC has not added it to the Olympics games. 

While racquetball has some interest, it tends to be confined primarily to the United States. It is still more popular in America than in any other part of the world. 

There are no live racquetball events in Asia or Europe, but it is quite common to find them on television in the US. The sport should meet several requirements to qualify for the Olympics.

There is definite growth in popularity and stature of racquetball, but not quite enough for Olympic inclusion. Despite its popularity in the USA and Canada, it has never quite reached tennis’ level of popularity. 

Every age and every gender play tennis, which is not the case with racquetball. Aside from that, neither have squash. Therefore, if the Olympics are held in a country where a popular sport is practiced, the IOC will consider including it as an official sport. 

In other words, racquetball may get a chance to participate in the Summer Olympics if they happen in the US. There is a better chance that racquetball will make the Olympics once the sport is known worldwide.

Further, this sport is also not spectator-friendly. The IOC mentioned that spectators might have a difficult time keeping up with racquetball. Due to the hectic nature of the format and the limited viewing angles, they don’t believe it will draw large crowds similar to other sports.

2. Lack of Players & Infrastructure

Its competition also affects racquetball’s inclusion. There are many more popular sports throughout the world, like tennis and badminton, similar to racquetball. 

Tennis and badminton are a part of the Olympics because of better competition all over the world. A racquetball court, for example, is much larger and more expensive to build than a badminton court. 

Constructing the racquetball court is labor-intensive, while badminton courts are flat and require nets. Consequently, this is the reason host countries would not commit to including the sport as well.

How Can Racquetball Become an Olympic Sport?

Following are the factors via which racquetball can become an Olympic sport.

3. Popularity

If only a sport like this were more popular, more sponsorships and advertisements would be available during its televised hours. Additionally, IOCs have to consider added value by sports. 

The Olympics and their movement are unlikely to succeed as racquetball fails to attract audiences and encourage more support. Several factors weigh heavily against racquetball being included in the eligibility criteria.

4. History & Business

Due to its relatively short history, IOC does not necessarily consider racquetball as a necessary addition. A nation’s largest expenditure is to host the games, which is costly compared to other games in the Olympics. 

They need to ensure that each sport can be sustained or generated a profit. Sporting event ticket sales, television advertising, and event costs are all tied closely together. 

It is expensive to construct racquetball courts. Even if the hosting country constructs the racquetball courts, it will not attract more audiences because of the lack of popularity.

Is There Any Chance for Racquetball to Be Part of the Olympics in the Future?

A host country’s nomination is most likely to lead to racquetball’s inclusion. The host nation makes nominations for sports that will be contested at the Olympics. 

Since racquetball is popular in the Americas, the same region should host the games. Despite this, other nations must still vote on it. Because of its limited recognition worldwide, its survival prospects are uncertain. 

Despite decades of attempts to add the sport, USA Racquetball has had little success. Proximity to the Olympic Training Center helped them move their headquarters to Colorado Springs. 

This effort required significant time and funds but ultimately failed. Many people believe that they should have spent this amount of money increasing participation at the local level. 

A sport has a greater chance of being included if more people play and promote it. Tennis is already an Olympic sport, and racquetball is very similar, making racquetball more difficult. A racquetball event during the next Olympic games is unlikely to happen.

I don’t think the French would get involved in this cause as the 2025 Olympics is in France. The year 2028 will surely mark a turning point in Los Angeles, but it is still unsure.

To plan effectively for the 2028 Olympics, 2028 seems quite a distance away, but it’s not that far off. Racquetball might become a popular sport in the year 2028. The International Racquetball Association is doing its best to make it more visible and include it in the Olympics. Therefore, if you are a Racquetball fan and want to see your favorite sports in the Olympics games, you might have to wait for a few more years.