I sort of understand, and yet don’t, as to why jiu jitsu is not an olympic sport yet. I know it’s probably going to be an exhibition sport for the 2016 olympics, but I am referring to the possibility of it becoming an actual event in the Olympics.
I’m sure someone’s asked, and someone much more dedicated has found the official answer, but I feel part of it has to do with the lack of governing bodies in the sport, which is sort of relative to its age.
As I’ve mentioned before, governing bodies of jiu jitsu in the states is sort of like the wild west- sure, there’s supposed to be law and order, and there are those in the process of working to tame it, but there is still a lot of uncharted territory, because in the timeline of sports, jiu jitsu is still fairly new. And I am sure this lack of higher jiu jitsu government is also in an issue in a number of other countries as well. IBJJF/CBJJF is working to fill that void, but it’s going to take time.
I’m sure there are probably other reasons out there as well, but I’m sure that’s not helping the case. Give it time though: not to look down on other athletes, but they have curling and dressage as Olympic sports, I would hope they would add jiu jitsu to the list.
Just a tuesday morning musing. Have a good day everyone!
I was always wondering why JJ is not an Olympic sport. Will it ever be in the Olympics
in our lifetime?
Heh – this question has been coming up with increasing regularity ever since Rio won the bid for 2016. However, the answer is a resounding no, BJJ will probably never be in the Olympics.
To become an Olympic event, you first have to be a recognised sport (which involves specific criteria): BJJ is not. Secondly, the Olympics are looking to cut down the number of events, not add to them. Thirdly, even when a space does become available, BJJ would be going up against lots of far more popular sports with a much better claim.
Even if BJJ became a recognised sport and was in a position to try and get a place, to become an actual Olympic event, you have to meet thirty three criteria. BJJ falls down on almost all of them: to mention some of the big ones, BJJ does not have universality, gender parity, a true governing body or anti-doping regulations.
Also, exhibition sports were discontinued after 1992, so that isn’t going to happen either. At the Beijing 2008 Olympics they did a Wushu competition in parallel with the games, but even that required a special dispensation: you aren’t allowed to hold major sporting events in the same city at the same time you’re holding the Olympics, if I understand the regulations correctly.
Not to mention that even in a hypothetical situation where BJJ got in, it would most likely be ruined by the Olympics: we have enough dubious rules already.
More reading here, here and here, if you’re interested.
I like this arrangement: I’ll randomly muse about something, and you back it up with facts. Thanks!
totally agree with slideyfoot. people are being so ignorant of the olympic rules. I used to work at an mma training center, so i love the sport, but i am getting so frustrated with people starting useless petitions and saying that bjj will def happen at rio. no it will not, get over it. what they really need to focus on is not the petitions, but move in the right direction to make it happen. but then i agree that it would ruin the sport, way to many rules would imposed and it would become wrestling, which they already have! what is even more funny is people petitioning for MMA to be at the olympics…….