The Olympics

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Anyone watching the Summer Olympics? How about those two incredible new sports that are in the Olympics? Synchronized diving and trampoline. Trampo-bleepin'-line?

Good thing inline hockey's not in the Olympics. It would be tarnished being in the same Games that had trampoline. LOL.

Guess I'll have to wait till 2002 to get an Olympic hockey fix, even if it is ice.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[calihockey]

Rich,
the IOC is supose to have a vote before the Salt Lake games to decide about roller hockey atleast thats what ive heard. i know they have voted before on it. they will have 3 options to the vote: 2004 which is greece, 2008 which is somewhere in Europe i believe or to vote again after the greece games. its just a matter of time before inline is at the olympics. since all these lame sports are being added maybe inline and ummm wet t-shirt? :) just my opinion

[RichardGraham]

Hi Cali,

That's news to me. Who's your source?

Also, I don't think I'd want to see you in a wet T-shirt... better nix that Olympic event...

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[calihockey]

Rich,
i dont think anyone wants to see a skinny pale white guy in a wet t-shirt! :)

[John]

The IOC has already reduced the list of cities bidding for 2008 summer games to 5

They are in order of "current" favored status: Beijing, Toronto, Paris, Istanbul and Osaka.

Toronto has to be the best bet for Roller hockey we will see in a long time.

[JohnHopkins]

Or a pale-white beer belly like mine! :)

Now if we can get some Hooters girls for the wet t-shirt, I'll buy front row seats!

(Yes, I am a pig!)


Sincerely,

John Hopkins
Buffalo Wings

[Justin]

Hello,

I am not so sure you are differentiating between roller hockey and roller skating. The IOC is busy debating allowing roller skating, not roller hockey. Roller skating would presumably include speed skating and artistic skating, much like the equivalent of the Winter Olypics' speed skiing and ski dancing is to traditional downhill skiing events.

I haven't researched this in-depth, but I believe that is really what the IOC is considering. Personally, I wouldn't expect roller hockey in the Olympics until there is are true established standards and one absolute governing body... which could push things into the next decade.

Sincerely,

Justin Nazarenko
Web Boy
Inline Hockey Central

http://www.inlinehockeycentral.com/images/justin.jpg

[ripitup]

Hey don't knock the trampoline. It's one of the few events that Canada won medals at!! Hehe.
ripitup

[JeffCrandall]

OK requirements for a sport to become a summer olympic event are as follows:
Must be played on 5 continents (not just one country on a continent but numerous countries) or 150 countries. Must be proposed at least 7 years before the event is to take place. And probably most important must have one governing body. Although the 3rd is more of my requirement, it makes sense to do. 2008 is probably the soonest we'll see it. It did help a lot with the sport being in the Pan-Am games last year though, and it does show that the international game is making strides to the ultimate goal of putting the sport in the Olympics.

[seanlarkin]

If I had seen the trampoline event I would have killed myself, or more realistically, gotten a hernia throwing the TV out the friggin window.

-Sean Larkin

http://www.wtsherrill.com/images/sean.jpg

[RichardGraham]

Hi Jeff,

I went on the Web tonight to look for additional details on what it takes for a sport to make it into the Olympics, and for the last two hours I've read about the wild and woolly politics behind triathlon's path to inclusion in the Olympics. I covered that sport until 1991 and I'd forgotten much of what went on behind the scenes. Wow.

I strongly believe that inline hockey will eventually be an Olympic sport, but between now and then, about 10,000 soap operas worth of politics and insider dramas will take place.

You wrote: "And probably most important must have one governing body. Although the 3rd is more of my requirement, it makes sense to do."

Do you see USA Hockey InLine and USA Roller Sports merging to make this happen, one of the two folding under pressure, or a wild card coming out of nowhere to bring inline hockey into the Olympics? Whatever happens, it's going to be extremely interesting, and I'm excited to have a front-row seat on the action.

And since I do, so will Inline Hockey Central's readers.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi John,

We all know how political the process is in choosing which city gets the Olympic Summer Games. However, if any city on your list gets the nod, I agree that Toronto would be the one most likely to support the idea of inline hockey being in the Games.

Who do we bribe? (JUST KIDDING!)

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi ripitup,

No comment :)

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Sean,

Good thing you didn't see it :)

I'll admit that it takes some athletic ability to do a lot of twists and turns in the air while bouncing on a trampoline, but is it a sport? I think not.

Of course, ballroom dancing is also in the Olympics, so obviously, "sport" takes on a wide variety of meanings for the IOC.

TV Hurling.... hmmm, you may have something there, Sean. Perhaps if it's done between November and March, it can be in the Winter Games...

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[JeffCrandall]

I don't see a merger between USA Roller Hockey and USA Hockey Inline. I know that after that past two years, a lot of people are wanting USA Roller Hockey and FIRS to be the governing bodies for the sport here in the US and the world. At the Pan Am games FIRS was recognized as the govering body for the sport as was USA Roller Hockey. After everything is said and done the governing bodies of the sport in different countries will decide who will be the governing body worldwide. Does that make sense to you guys? I'll give an example. Switzerland, arguably the best European inline hockey nation dropped out of IIHF and is now ONLY in FIRS. Of course it helps when Switzerland has only one governing body. So then for us here in the States, it is up to us to support one governing body. I think USA Roller Hockey is gaining a lot more credibility after this summer. And USA Hockey Inline didn't help itself by not actually "selecting" a team, but rather having the coach invite players.

I feel that it comes down to us to really choose who the governing body is. I don't see the IOC letting us into the Olympics with two parties claiming to be the governing body. Don't expect to see a merger between FIRS and IIHF or to have either back down from their position. Its safe to say that it'll be the same way with USARH and USAHI.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Jeff,

I agree with you that a merger between USARS and USAHIL is unlikely. I think both organizations have their hands full just trying to organize the amateur player ranks, and that Olympic inclusion for inline hockey, while a worthy goal, is probably not their highest priority at the moment, nor should it be.

You are also correct that down the line, the IOC is only going to deal with one international governing body for inline hockey. It would be nice if the players were to make that decision, but my guess is that it will be a few men in blue blazers.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[John]

Hi Richard

I found the following post from the Athens Olympic Organizing Committee on a roller sports message board (artistic, dance, speed) and thought it might be interesting.

Subject: Athens 2004

Dear Jayson Sutcliffe,

Thank you for your interest in Athens 2004.

We would like to inform you that Roller Skating is: a) not included in the Athens 2004 Sports Programme, b) is a candidature for inclusion.

Although we appreciate your wish for Roller Skating to be included in the 2004 Olympic Games Sport Programme, we as the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games "Athens 2004" do not decide whether or not a sport will be included in the Olympics. All decisions on which sports remain and which will be included in the Olympic Sports Programme are taken by the IOC - International Olympic Committee. This particular decision regarding the Athens 2004 Sports Program is currently pending and it is expected to be announced soon.

We suggest you visit the IOC's web site (http://www.olympic.org) particularly the section: "IOC Facts and Figures"/"Olympic Charter"/"The Olympic Games"/"Programme of the Olympic Games", where you may find information on the rules and the procedures for the selection and admission of Olympic Sports.

Best Regards. Athens 2004 - Information Center
__________________________________
ATHENS 2004 Organizing Committee
http://www.athens.olympic.org
Tel.: +301 3240004, Fax.: 3232004
__________________________________


Now for our sport.

As far as meeting the requirements go the following are the basic rules for inclusion are as follows off their web-site:

Sports Programme, Admission of Sports, Disciplines and Events

The IOC establishes the programme of the Olympic Games, which only includes Olympic Sports.

1 Olympic Sports included in the Programme of the Olympic Games

1.1 To be included in the programme of the Olympic Games, an Olympic sport must conform to the following criteria:

1.1.1 only sports widely practised by men in at least seventy-five countries and on four continents, and by women in at least forty countries and on three continents, may be included in the programme of the Games of the Olympiad;

1.1.2 only sports widely practiced in at least twenty-five countries and on three continents may be included in the programme of the Olympic Winter Games;

1.1.3 only sports that apply the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code and in particular perform out-of-competition testing in accordance with the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency will be included in the programme of the Olympic Games.

1.1.4 sports are admitted to the programme of the Olympic Games at least seven years before specific Olympic Games in respect of which no change shall thereafter be permitted.

I think our sport can probably meet the criteria for men but I suspect we have some distance to go with the women.

I agree with Jeff that not having a single governing body will be "the" major stumbling block.

I also believe that the problem will have to be solved in the U.S. first, as that is where the majority of the television revenues come from.

Of the two predominant governing bodies in the U.S. USAHIL is affiliated with the IIHF and USARH is affiliated with the FIRS.

This is a real problem.

While neither of the Federations are currently International Olympic Summer Sports Federations. The IIHF is part of the IOC as a member of the International Winter Sports Federations. The FIRS are not currently members of the IOC at all but are ranked as what the IOC calls Recognized International Federations. Further to which they are a former IOC member and Juan Antonio Samaranch was personally a member as well. Should they be successful in getting artistic and speed roller sports into the Athens games they will certainly have a stronger power base than they do today.

The IIHF currently represents inline hockey in 23 countries on 6 continents

The FIRS represents roller sports in 5 federations on 5 continents. The five federations in turn represent 74 associations but there is much overlapping with many nations having multiple representations on the federations. I have no idea how many countries this represents but it appears to be significantly more than the IIHF. However, how many of those have active programs in roller hockey is difficult to tell.

In Canada the IIHF is represented by CHI and the FIRS by Roller Sports Canada. The fact the both organizations failed to send teams to their respective Worlds this year is certainly disheartening. Roller Sports Canada did manage to field our drug scandal tainted team at the Pan Am Games, however on a regular basis and particularly at the grass roots level, they are all but invisible.

Lucky us. We are being represented by two very powerful sports federations neither of which is currently demonstrating that roller hockey is a priority. In all likelihood both will have the prestige of being IOC members without the inclusion of roller hockey in the Olympic games. Their motivation to collaborate or capitulate would be what?????

Your idea of a wild card, possibly a rising phoenix or a bolt of lightning just might end up being our best shot.

John

[Jim_A]

The IOC will choose to deal with one of the governing bodies, IIHF or FIRS, on their own. Much like they chose to deal with the FIS instead of the actual worldwide governing body of snowboarding...so even if our sport did wind up under one roof, say FIRS for talks sake..the IOC could easily say it considers IIHF to be the GB and deals with that and all of a sudden USAHIL and not USAC is choosing the team, not that i have a love for either one, and I'm sure they feel the same way about me on occasion...

[RichardGraham]

Hi John,

Thanks for finding and posting the answer from the Athens OOC. Interesting stuff.

Which governing body comes out as the winner is a bit of a moot point right now. Inline hockey is more likely to be approved as a summer sport, where the requirements for inclusion are much tougher. That's another reason for all of us to support the growth of women's inline hockey worldwide. It's going to take a long time to get women in 40 countries playing our sport.

So, while we wait, how about ballroom dancing? Has anyone see any of that great sport on NBC's Olympics coverage yet? Incredible stuff!

Not.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[John]

Hi Richard

If you think Ball Room Dancing is exciting, wait until 2004 when we get to watch Bridge. As I was surfing the Olympic site they have a calendar for Olympic sports events, not totally unlike the one you have for tournaments on this site. The very first item on the agenda was "Bridge". Un****ing believable.

Maybe the women can help us out here? The other day I sat through 90 minutes of incredibly boring women's soccer that ended in a 1-nill victory for the U.S.
Why?
Just in case the U.S. won and Brandy Chastaine might possibly, partially disrobe in the victory celebration. How twisted is that?

TV revenues are undeniably the driving forces behind the modern games and I suspect if NBC wants a sport included, it will happen. I understand this years ratings are well down and based on what I've seen with a few exceptions, justifiably so. Women's gymnastics are still a perennial favorite and the excellent camera work and design expertise at Speedo, showcased in the sand at Bondi Beach, has been called the surprise hit of the games.

Surprise to who???? Not NBC I'm sure.

John

[RichardGraham]

Hi John,

I agree with you that it's ridiculous that a card game like Bridge can be considered an Olympic sport, but you can't look at one boring soccer game and judge an entire sport. I've seen enough boring "clutch & grab" NHL games, but I'd never argue that ice hockey shouldn't be in the Olympics.

I also agree that TV revenues are the current driving force, but I've been told that one of the obstacles facing inline hockey's inclusion in the games is that the IOC wants to limit the amount of Olympic participants. Add 10 inline hockey teams and you're adding 140-150 players, plus coaches and administrators.

NBC's ratings are down partly because of the decision to tape-delay the games, and partly because the overabundance of sappy profiles.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[John]

Hi Richard

You're right. I watched the U.S. vs. Norway women's soccer gold medal game today and it was a real barn burner. Tied up in extra time and the winner coming off the bench in the extra period. I won't tell you who won because NBC probably won't show it until tomorrow or the next day.

John

[RichardGraham]

Hi John,

I got to see the highlights and it made me wish I'd seen more of the game. The Americans scored with less than 45 seconds left on a great header to put it into overtime.

As I watch the Olympics, I come to realize that I love team sports far more than individual sports. That may stem from my experience in junior high school. I considered myself an average soccer player, but I was picked to play on a hand-picked AYSO team by a coach from Scotland. I was surprised, but I later realized that I was chosen, not because I was a star, but because I could provide something to the team. Instead of being a great scorer or defenseman, I was a solid forward who never gave up. My strengths, combined those of the other players that Bob Gowrie picked, helped us to a couple of league championships.

Later, I think I was turned off to individual sports a bit by covering triathlon for five years. Though there were scores of great athletes whose company I enjoyed, there were many who were too wrapped up in their own personal achievements. Nothing gets older faster than people who boast about their accomplishments all the time.

I love inline hockey, as I love ice hockey, because it's a team sport that's fast, fun, exciting, challenging and so much more.

Man, I think I've just inspired myself to get out there and play. Anyone for a game of pickup?

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Jim,

You're right, the IOC will do what it chooses to do. We proletarians will have to sit and wait... :)

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central