Lacrosse nabs golden touch from International Olympic Committee in bid to enter Summer Games
- Lacrosse has been granted three years of ‘provisional recognition’ by the IOC as it makes a push to enter the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
- The Federation of International Lacrosse is currently trialling a ‘faster, more spectator friendly’ six-a-side version in a bid to wo the IOC
In the crowded room that contains sports looking for coveted Olympic inclusion, lacrosse may be inching closer to the door.
In November, the International Olympic Committee executive board voted to “provisionally recognise” the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The formal gesture, which lasts three years, is seen as a massive step towards a sport being included in the Olympic programme.
Lacrosse now joins sports like kick-boxing, cheerleading and sambo under the banner which allows for sports’ federations to apply for IOC funding and try to land a spot as a demonstration sport.
FIL president Sue Redfern, who was in the city over the weekend taking in the sixth annual Hong Kong Lacrosse Open, said the recognition is one of the biggest moments in the sport’s history.
“In reality, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is our first real opportunity,” said Redfern, who noted demonstration sport status in the US iteration would be ideal. “And we will give that a serious go over the next three years as the decision (by the IOC) will be made in 2023 for the 2028 Olympics.”
The FIL, which was set up in 2008, oversees four different outdoor field events and indoor box lacrosse, which encompasses six world events. Outdoor lacrosse is exploding in the United States, the home base of the sport, as US Lacrosse notes close to a million people now play the sport in the country.