At times it seems as though the IOC is incapable of reaching a young, up and coming demo that is thirsty for an uninterrupted and exciting viewing experience of the Summer Olympics. The IOC appears stuck in their ways by shunning sports like wakeboarding, skateboarding or paintball. Each of these sports has garnered a strong following domestically and internationally and would re-invigorate the Summer Olympics. So without further ado, in honor of the Rio Olympics, we have put together a list of sports that you will not being seeing in Rio, but wish you were.
BOWLING
Bowling has massively grown in popularity over the years, even earning a spot on ESPN on Sundays. From the anticipation while the ball is rolling down the lane to the grossly over-dramatized reactions when it hits the pins, bowling would add excitement and flare that a sport like race walking does not come close to.
SKATEBOARDING
Snowboarding has proven to be one of the most (if not the most popular sport) in Winter Olympics, so this one would seem like a no brainer. Some of the most popular names in action sports such Tony Hawk and Shaun White are skateboarders that have huge followings missing out on the action of the Summer Olympics. If the IOC were to incorporate skateboarding, names like Shaun White would dramatically increase youthful ratings. BMX is already in the Olympics, so the natural transgression would be to incorporate skateboarding next.
RACQUETBALL
Racquetball may not have the popularity of skateboarding, but it extremely entertaining and captivating. Who does not want to watch athletes hit a ball as hard as they can against while being stuck in a box. There are singles and doubles, which provides options for the Olympics, while providing excitement that even tennis, does not provide.
SOFTBALL
The Olympics allow an avenue for the top female softball players in the world to come together and compete in meaningful competition. There are no other international competitions for the top softball females to compete and removing this does not allow these athletes to play meaningful competition.
PAINTBALL
Archery and shooting are in the Olympics, but those are outdated, less than thrilling events. Paintball takes athleticism, strategy, and marksmanship on a field littered with obscure obstacles. It has gained popularity internationally and would increase the audience size for the limited shooting sports in the Olympics.
LACROSSE
In 1948, lacrosse was played as a demonstration sport in the Olympics but has since been removed. It provides excitement via amazing stick handling, hard hitting, and supreme athleticism.
WAKEBOARDING
Water sports such as synchronized swimming and diving do not provide the excitement needed to captivate a diverse audience. Wakeboarding is fast, high flying, and has eloquence that rivals synchronized swimming. Hell, this could even led to the expanding into water skiing, knee boarding, and other exciting water sports.
INLINE SPEED SKATING
Speed skating is one of the most exciting and exhilarating sports at the Winter Olympics, so it would only make sense for the IOC to incorporate a similar sport such as inline speed skating into the Summer Olympics.
TUG O WAR
Come on, this would just be plain awesome! There is strategy and strength needed for success, men and women can both participate, and the national pride that would spill out would be amazing. It is an opportunity to show whom the strongest nation really is.
SPORT CLIMBING
Sport climbing would captivate an audience the Olympics does not offer attract. The athleticism, skill, technique, and agility required for speed climbing would be welcomed with open arms by the Olympic fans, replacing lack luster sports such as race walking.
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