Ultimate Frisbee on Olimpic Games in 2012

[SergioPL]

Hello everybody !!!

I think putting UF on Olimpics would be huge step forward for this sport, so don't wait any minute longer and sign this petition !!

http://www.my-cause.com/ultimate_frisbee_for_the_2012_olympics?112,40

Cheers

[Seppo]

Nice work Sergio!  I just signed the petition.  And to show UT's support, here is a badge to further your cause.



Good luck with it. 

- Seppo

[raymie_y]

Unfortunately it is not that easy. A sport has to first become a demonstration event before becoming an Olympic event. There is also a cap on the number of sports and events as well as the number of athletes. Baseball and Softball are being discontinued and they are very popular sports. I do not want to be negative but it might take a bit more time than 2012.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games


-Raymie

[Lex]

Signed, but yeah.
It might take a bit longer than 2012

-Alex

[SergioPL]

never mind howl long it will take, if we do nothing we will never see frisbee on OG, this is just first step guys ...
so stop grumbling and sign it !!

[Chris]

Nice idea, but I don't see it happening in any of our Frisbee careers, and I don't think a petition will make any difference. Player number and spectators are what really matter.

[SergioPL]

if not for yourself make it for future generations ... if we do nothing, nothing will happen . I don't know if it will bring as closer to the olimpics but this is just first step. And if we will be talking all the time things like: "i don't see it happening" or "i don't think it will make any difference", we will stay in the same place and have to listen things like "ultimate frisbee?? aaa youw play with dogs..." ...

[Chris]

I'd say that a good majority of the people involved on these forums are active Ultimate members in their communities whether it be through coaching, league development and tournament administration or team management/development. To implying that we aren't doing our part to "make a difference" is a little insulting. 260+ posts on these forums to date should say that I care, even just a little bit.

I'm just not someone to naively thinks that a petition will change anything. Money makes the world go round unfortunately and deluding yourself with the idea that a few Ultimate players signatures on a virtual petition would even turn a head is just a waste of time and energy that could be put towards a more productive outcome.

I'm not saying the desire to improve and develop the game of ultimate is a waste of time time, or not a noble cause - I'm just saying that in life it is important to look at the brutally honest facts and act accordingly. Those facts are when it comes to sports like Soccer, Tennis, Swimming (just as an example) which are all Olympic sports, they all have participation rates in Australia of over a million people. That's a lot considering in Australia we currently only have 3000+ active Frisbee players, and I think that figure is probably even over inflated. 

Ultimate is in its infancy - and the the only real way to turn heads is to build our participation rates and help push the game as a spectator sport that is worthy of being in the Olympics.

 

[Tassie Joe]

Not to mention that one of the eligibility requirements for an olympic sport is to have qualified referees.  That could be a bit of a problem in our sport.

[gref]

Not if everyone that plays at olympic level takes a refereeing course?

Maybe people at high level should have to have a course to test knowledge of rules etc...

[raymie_y]

Not if everyone that plays at olympic level takes a refereeing course?

Maybe people at high level should have to have a course to test knowledge of rules etc...

Not to thread hijack but to me that should be a prerequisite of every player in a UPA sectional, regional or national game.

Back to the topic at hand, I am an eternal optimist but I was just brining a little gravity to the situation. I am happy that you (SergioPL) is putting together and encouraging the petition.

-Raymie

[simmo]

if not for yourself make it for future generations ... if we do nothing, nothing will happen . I don't know if it will bring as closer to the olimpics but this is just first step. And if we will be talking all the time things like: "i don't see it happening" or "i don't think it will make any difference", we will stay in the same place and have to listen things like "ultimate frisbee?? aaa youw play with dogs..." ...

I do like to think that ultimate being part of the World Games is doing a pretty good job of pushing for Olympic inclusion. IOC representatives watched some of the World Games in 2005 and were very impressed with the self-officiating structure of the sport.

But given that criteria for consideration is that the sport is played (defined as having a formally recognised national association hosting a formally recognised national championships) in 75 countries by men and 40 countries by women, and that ultimate only meets this criteria in 25 countries I'd say we're quite a way off. That, and the IOC prefers individual pursuits over team sports.

[pquinn]

Yeah sign this for us Young-uns! I want to see this sport played and respected around the globe ASAP!

[bwhite55]

i don't want it to get popular, because with any sport that gets big and out in the open, you have drug scandals, people that do it for money and not love of the game, etc.....

lets just keep it outa the spotlight and keep it fun for everybody.

[Adelaide]

I feel the same way as the last comment. Part of the reason Ultimate is so cool is that it still flies under the radar and tends to attract mellower people. I'd hate to see it become too intense.