Discussion: Not much chance of Orienteering making the Olympics

I’m not sure why it’s a problem? It’s no more subjective than diving or gymnastics. Is it because they don’t fit the idea of an “athlete”?

I think the international squash community should find someone a little less snooty to advocate for their cause.

Let's face it: Squash like orienteering does not fit the Olympic ideal.

Squash is part of the Commonwealth Games. She should be satisfied it got halfway there.

There are essentially two ways a new sport gets into the Olympics. One is if it brings in a big new TV audience (which is why the IOC is keen on cricket - the Indian subcontinent has a lot of people - but cricket itself is lukewarm). The other is if it offers realistic medal prospects for underrepresented countries, which is how rugby sevens got in - Fiji's gold medal there is one the IOC would have been very happy to see.

Bribery. Three ways.

@Blair, so where does break dancing fit in?

New tv audience. Kids from the 80s will be tuning in in droves.

@Blair: more countries with a shot at medals is totally why cross-country should be in the winter Olympics. That would be awesome.