May - June 1998
Vol. 9, No. 3

RB: GLOBAL: Olympic Update
& The IX World Championships

Racquetball and the Olympics
An Update by Luke St. Onge

Heard time and again – "Why isn't racquetball in the Olympic Games when sports like ‘Ballroom Dancing' and ‘Billiards' are?” Well, the facts are that neither ‘Ballroom Dancing' (now called ‘Sport Dancing') or ‘Billiards' (popularly known as ‘pool') are in the Olympics, regardless of what you hear or read.

The International Olympic Committee, which is the international controlling body for the Olympic Games has two separate categories for sports. Sports which are on the program of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games and sports which the IOC has determined as ‘recognized.' IOC ‘recognized sports' mean only that, and the term has no real bearing on whether a sport will ever be on the Olympic Program.

A sport is accepted on the Olympic Program if it meets the minimum requirements of the program contained in the Olympic Charter. Some basic requirements are that a sport be widely practiced in 75 countries on five continents; be available to men and women; conduct world championships, and many other points of consideration. For example, all Winter Games sports must be conducted on ice or snow. Once all these criteria are met – and they are extensive – the sport must be accepted by the next Olympic Organizing Committee and voted in by the IOC members.

The current climate for new sports being admitted is that they will definitely be ‘few and far between.' By far the greatest problem the IOC faces is ‘gigantism.' The Olympic Games have become so large that they have become unmanageable for all but a small number of highly developed countries which face over two billion dollars in expenditures just to host them.

In addition to this challenge, the IOC must deal with the very real problem of give-and-take. For a new sport to be added, it must replace an existing sport or discipline – and extremely difficult task given the political atmosphere that exists within the IOC. In addition, sports already on the program have the inside track for adding disciplines (beach volleyball is part of Volleyball, mountain biking is part of Cycling, snowboarding is part of skiing), which further restricts the opportunity for new sports.

Lastly, there is a very real political process which must be undertaken after a sport meets all the requirements. The "Olympic-hopeful" must mount a formal election campaign, traveling to over 100 countries and developing very close working relationships with IOC members, staffers and entire organizing committees. How much cash and personnel resources are needed to accomplish this task? It's speculated that a minimum 10-year commitment by the sport's International Federation and over a four million dollar expenditure will just barely meet the requirements for a favorable vote. Even then, the chances remain at 50-50.

OK, knowing all this, how does racquetball stack up against these requirements? Well, not too bad, actually. The International Racquetball Federation currently has 91 member countries on five continents. It's open to men and women, and the IRF will host its 9th World Championships in July. Plus, racquetball is currently a full medal sport in the following IOC approved continental games:

  • South American Games
  • Boliviano Games
  • Central American Games
  • Central American Caribbean Games
  • South Pacific Games
  • Pan American Games (second only to the Olympic Games in prestige)
  • World Games (of which racquetball is a charter member)

The International Federation has accomplished all this in a 14-year period on less than a $10,000 annual budget. On the home front, there is little interest on the part of the racquetball manufacturers to support this complex effort – at least until the U.S. market has been stabilized and the overall growth of the sport is on a systematic upswing.

The big picture? The International Racquetball Federation continues to make strides and see progress within the Olympic family, against tremendous odds, and it will never lose faith in its ultimate goal of being added to the Olympic Program. Racquetball's Olympic destiny continues to be "not IF ... just WHEN?"

Ektelon IRF IX World Championships Up For Grabs?

Experts suggest the possibility of major upsets in the IX World Championships slated for Cochabamba, Bolivia, July 8 - 18, 1998. Will Canada repeat as the men’s team champions, or go all the way to take the overall World Championship for the first time ever? Will Argentina break through and win a gold medal in men’s doubles? Will Mexico finally put it all together and break into the coveted second place team position? And what about Venezuela’s chances with Fabian Balmori heading up the team? Where do the Japanese and the Irish fit into the equation?

    Here’s the line on the Worlds ...
  • USA — the team championship will rest with the men’s squad that qualifies in Houston (the top three), with even odds on the U.S. recapturing the men’s team title from the Canadians. The U.S. women’s team is very strong and deep in talent and should repeat their top finish. The overall team competition will depend solely on the performance of the men. Individually, the U.S. is favored to win four out of six available gold medals.
  • Canada — the men’s team holds even odds to repeat as world champions and a much improved women’s team will challenge the U.S. women’s team for the first time. This is Canada’s best chance to win the World Cup. In individual play, the Canadians could win three out of six gold medals available.
  • Mexico — will be bringing a much improved team to Bolivia. Will challenge the Canadians on an even basis in the men’s division. The Mexican women’s team continues to improve and will finish third.
  • Japan — once again an unknown factor, but promises to be strong, especially in the women’s team event.
  • Argentina — has reached parity with the Mexican and Japanese men’s teams. Look for the Argentine men’s team to upset either of those rivals and move into the top three or four.
  • Ireland — will bring a strong men’s team who should finish in the top 10. The women’s team is an unknown, but continues to dominate play in Europe.
  • Bolivia — at home Bolivia will be tough. Under Coach Jeff Leon the Bolivian teams, which have always reached the top ten, will become the spoilers of the Worlds. Have an excellent chance to break into the top five and maybe finish as high as fourth overall.
  • Venezuela — led by Fabian Balmori, who plays both singles and doubles, Venezuela will stay in the top ten, possibly moving up into the top five. How well Balmori plays will dictate how well Venezuela finishes.
  • Colombia — probably the event “sleepers.” If Colombia sends its best in both men and women’s teams, they will do extremely well with a possible top-five finish.
  • Germany — always strong, but is currently in a developmental stage. Should finish in the top 10 overall.
  • Puerto Rico — has the talent to be spoilers and finish in the top 10. It all depends on the team that they send.
  • Australia — should finish in the men’s top six.

Teams to watch — Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, Uruguay, Austria, Korea. Other teams competing — Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Guam, Vietnam, Nigeria, Tonga.

Interested in being part of racquetball history? Come cheer on your home country! For travel, Contact GITANO Tours: Phone/fax 591-42-35-900 (if available, use handset on fax, display may show 591-42-71202, but confirmation should show 42-35-900) e-mail - GITANOCBB@bo.net

For lodging, Hotel Portales: Av. Pando No. 1271 Cochabamba, BOLIVIA Telephone — 591-42-85444; 85445; 85446; 85447; 85448 Fax — 591-42-42071

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