Olympic Outlook not hopeful

[Mlrhnorthfan]

In the March 2nd issue of sports illustrated there is a blurb about sports up for inclusion in the 2016 olympics.

Rollersports is one of them, however it clearly states hockey will not be included even if other rollersports are.

Any one else see that?

Thoughts?

[growl89]

I saw that too... It's a shame to be honest

It's too bad roller hockey can't break away from the other ridiculous roller sports and try to enter as it's own sport. The ngb needs to address this issue, the sport is making strides, again, and with no olympic possibility it really hurts the sports chance to ever succeed on a professional level in the states at least.

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

I agree with you 100% Billy. I think the in-fighting in this sport is what is causing a major problem for it to move forward.

[Mlrhnorthfan]

yeah its pretty pathetic when they will not let hockey or racing in but will consider 'artistic roller skating'.....

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

yeah its pretty pathetic when they will not let hockey or racing in but will consider 'artistic roller skating'.....

Nobody asked you to define how you play inline hockey.

[ianmackie]

I agree with you 100% Billy. I think the in-fighting in this sport is what is causing a major problem for it to move forward.

How does in-fighting affect how or what the Governing Body of our sport does? There is only one Governing Body, Player Membership/Insurance by the RHA and USAHIL cannot really do anything here.

I do agree the in-fighting is lame though, but I am guessing they all feel they could do it better. I just hope in the end it gets figured out so that I don't have to get attacked all the time anymore from people that are in the mindset of with us or against us. I am pro-roller hockey...pretty simple.

In the end, I want the games in the Olympics but I also feel that we need to just keep working to get the new players in the game and work together for the greater good.

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

How does in-fighting affect how or what the Governing Body of our sport does? There is only one Governing Body, Player Membership/Insurance by the RHA and USAHIL cannot really do anything here.

I do agree the in-fighting is lame though, but I am guessing they all feel they could do it better. I just hope in the end it gets figured out so that I don't have to get attacked all the time anymore from people that are in the mindset of with us or against us. I am pro-roller hockey...pretty simple.

In the end, I want the games in the Olympics but I also feel that we need to just keep working to get the new players in the game and work together for the greater good.

Not everything is about RHA or USAHIL. My statement was regarding IIHF and FIRS

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

FIRS and the IIHF were the parallel train tracks of roller hockey/inline hockey that never would meet. Each made noises of working together, but self-interest and self-importance and turf wars and greed killed any real chance of that.

Our sport's "leaders" let us down big time, and the sport has suffered for years -- and probably will suffer for years to come -- because of it.

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

Hi Folks,

FIRS and the IIHF were the parallel train tracks of roller hockey/inline hockey that never would meet. Each made noises of working together, but self-interest and self-importance and turf wars and greed killed any real chance of that.

Our sport's "leaders" let us down big time, and the sport has suffered for years -- and probably will suffer for years to come -- because of it.

At least you knew where I was going with my statement Rich!

[Mlrhnorthfan]

Nobody asked you to define how you play inline hockey.

i thought you told me I was poetry in motion jeffy
MEH

[DannyG]

If USA Roller Sports is the National Governing Body responsible in the United States to the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports, then it is indeed FIRS and USARS who have failed us in this respect.

I was told (in person, by a USARS representative) in September 2007 that inline hockey was going to be a (very big) suprise, special exhibition sport for inclusion in the last Summer Olympics...

I have been told on at least three occasions prior to that incident, again by regional and/or national representatives from USARS that, step-by-step, inline hockey was going to become an olymic sport "in the next few years..."

I am saddened that this now seems to be a dream that will never be realized, with or without the good intentions of USARS and FIRS.

Please note that it is FIRS who has disavowed any interest in promoting our sport in it's olympic proposals, by its own, published admission.

By all accounts that I have seen over the past five years, the present olympic process for including new sports in the olympic family would seem to totally preclude inline hockey from ever becoming included.

I now consider this a moot point.

It is interesting how the presently ongoing World Baseball Classic has done a tremendous job of showcasing baseball as a true world sport, with a parity among national teams that is frankly amazing...who would'a thought??? This, of course, is the main "justification" that critics use to show that inline hockey doesn't deserve to be an olympic sport...it ain't played in enough countries, and there isn't a lot of high-powered national programs in enough countries.

I, for one, hope that we can possibly get a true national voice that will support our sport on the international level, fight for it, and promote it the way it should be promoted. 'Cause until that happens, I'm bummed...

[minutemen]

Here is one of the criteria for a sport to become Olympic.

A sport must be popular in many countries--75 of them for men's summer sports, 40 for women's summer sports, and 25 for winter sports.

That is why football and lacrosse, which are popular sports in US, but not in the rest of the world. So that is what I think is the major reason why inline hockey is not. It is a great sport but not very popular to the rest of the world. Now I know we question why some sports are olympic sports but many countries play those sports. As dumb as we may think they are they are played around the world. Did you all know that tug of war was an Olympic sport?

Inline hockey has a long way to go. There are many issues that need to be resolved, like mentioned in other post, in order for this sport to become a sport. Honestly, inline hockey would be considered a recreation and not a sport, in the eyes of the rest of the sports world. Reason why, no set national youth organization that does youth travel and house leagues. Not recognized as a High school or College Sport. Not a Pro sport yet, but I think if people work together it can. AIHL has had a great first year and the people just need to keep working to make it better.

[PGHhockey]

Agreed that inline hockey is just not a global game, nor will it probably ever be one.

I've made this point before, that most of these other sports have either A) huge worldwide popularity and/or B) very low barrier to entry.

Baseball is an old, simple game that needs merely a glove, a field, and a bat. Low barrier to entry.

Hockey is expensive, hard to find, etc. - but it's very popular worldwide.

But, look at the WBC. Baseball is so global that guys usually have a choice of which team to play for. Ex: Randall Simon playing for the Netherlands. He was actually born there.

Now, if we could just get hold of some birth certificates and make sure that the top players in AIHL and PIHA were actually born in Zimbabwe, Brazil, Japan, etc. - we'd be in good shape.

[Mlrhnorthfan]

All is not lost.

The fact that Mens Inline is at the World games this summer in Tawain is important.

From what I have heard the world games are a stepping stone to the Olympics.

So it may not be soon, but its not a death sentence for the sport.

[Drexel63]

i thought you told me I was poetry in motion jeffy
MEH

jeffy??? no pillow talk on IHC.. knock it off you two!