It’s an anomaly that grates on the nerves of all yellow ball enthusiasts. While breakdancing, climbing, and surfing have made their spectacular entry into the Olympic arena recently, padel remains desperately at the door of the athletes’ village.
Yet, the numbers speak for themselves: millions of players, stadiums packed to the brim for Premier Padel Majors, and global television coverage. So, why haven’t we seen Ale Galán or Arturo Coello win a gold medal in Paris? And most importantly, when will we finally see padel at the Olympics?
The road to Olympus is paved with strict bureaucratic rules and sports geopolitics. Here’s what padel still concretely needs to obtain the precious Olympic ticket.
Criterion #1: Geographical Universality
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a golden rule: for a sport to be Olympic, it must be truly global. It’s not enough to be ultra-popular in three or four countries.
According to the Olympic Charter, a men’s sport must be practiced in at least 75 countries across 4 continents. For women, the threshold is 40 countries across 3 continents.
Where does padel stand?
This is where the problem still lies.
- Padel is a giant in Spain, Argentina, and now in Italy, Sweden, or France.
- But the IOC considers it still too “Hispanic-centric.” Asia (China, Japan) is just starting to get into it, Africa is still hesitant (apart from Egypt and Morocco), and North America currently prefers Pickleball.
- To convince the IOC, the International Padel Federation (FIP) must prove that the sport is actively practiced (with structured national federations) outside of Europe and South America.
The Challenge of Single Governance
For years, padel suffered from an institutional civil war. On one side, the private circuit (World Padel Tour), on the other, the official federation (FIP) supported by Premier Padel (QSI).
The IOC abhors internal conflicts. To be included in the Games, a sport must be governed by a single, undisputed international body that manages the calendar, rankings, and rules.
The good news: Since the acquisition of the WPT by QSI and the unification under the FIP banner, this criterion is on the verge of being fully validated. The FIP is now the sole boss on board, which greatly strengthens the case with Lausanne (IOC headquarters).
The Unexpected Obstacle: The Host Country’s “Lobby” (L.A. 2028)
A large portion of new Olympic sports are chosen by the host city. Paris 2024 had chosen breakdancing and surfing. For the Los Angeles 2028 Games, padel had hope, but it faces a formidable competitor: Pickleball.
In the United States, Pickleball is king. It’s the racket sport that’s exploding across the Atlantic, much more than padel for now. From a purely strategic and marketing perspective, American organizers might be tempted to prioritize “their” sport over padel, perceived as more European or Latin.
Furthermore, the IOC limits the total number of athletes (approximately 10,500). Adding padel means adding at least 64 or 96 additional athletes, which requires removing spots elsewhere. It’s a fierce game of musical chairs.
Anti-Doping Compliance (WADA Code)
To be Olympic, a sport must rigorously apply the World Anti-Doping Code. This means unannounced tests, precise athlete location (the ADAMS system), and severe sanctions.
Professional padel has gotten serious about it in recent years, but it still needs to prove over time that its procedures are as strict as those of tennis or athletics. This is a technical point, but a disqualifying one if not respected.
The Successful Precedent: The 2023 European Games
Despite these obstacles, optimism is in order. Padel passed a real-life test during the European Games in Krakow in 2023.
- The success was total: full stands, a fantastic atmosphere in the market square, and an exceptional game level.
- The IOC observed this very closely. This event proved that padel is “telegenic,” spectacular, and capable of attracting a young audience, which is the current obsession of the Olympic committee.
Verdict: Brisbane 2032, the realistic goal?
While Los Angeles 2028 seems like a complicated bet (although the hope of a last-minute integration or as a demonstration sport remains), all eyes are on Brisbane 2032.
By then:
- Expansion in Asia and the USA will have filled the lack of universality.
- The FIP/Premier Padel structure will be perfectly established.
- The sport will be a media must-have.
Padel at the Olympic Games is not a question of “if,” but of “when.” The wave is too powerful to be ignored indefinitely. We just need to be a little more patient before seeing our champions step onto the highest step of the podium with their national anthem playing in the background.
Imagine an Olympic final between Spain and Argentina for the gold medal: what, in your opinion, would be the dream lineup for this historic match?
Ultimately, the Olympic bid is played out as much on the court as in the corridors: international expansion, structuring of federations, and institutional stability. Each passing season brings padel a little closer to being considered “essential”.
