Padel tennis and the Olympics

Padel is now recognised by the International Padel Tennis Federation (FIP), which has been actively working to promote the sport worldwide and to standardise its rules and regulations. The FIP has also been lobbying for the inclusion of Padel Tennis in various multi-sport events, which is often seen as a stepping stone to Olympic recognition.
However, despite its rapidly growing popularity in Europe and Latin America, padel tennis has not yet been included in the Olympic programme. For a sport to be considered for inclusion in the Olympic Games, it must meet several criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). These criteria include global popularity, adherence to the governing body of the Olympic Charter, and the sport’s ability to contribute to the Olympic Movement.
Factors affecting potential inclusion

1.Global popularity and growth: The popularity of Padel Tennis is centred on Europe and Latin America, with countries such as Spain, Argentina and Italy leading the way. The sport needs to gain a foothold in other regions, particularly in North America, Asia and Africa, to strengthen its case for inclusion in the Olympic Games.

2. Governance and Recognition: The International Federation (FIP) is recognised by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which is a positive step towards meeting IOC standards. It is vital that FIP continues its efforts to expand the reach of the sport and develop clear and harmonised rules globally.

3. Inclusion in other multi-sport events: Padel tennis has been included in regional multi-sport events.
This could be used as a platform to showcase the sport to a wider audience, such as the European Games.

4. Competition for Olympic seats: The number of sports in the Olympic Games is fixed and the competition to join the Games is fierce. The social and fast-paced nature of Padel Tennis may attract the IOC’s attention to a sport that resonates with young people and provides dynamic, engaging content for spectators.