Padel continues its rise towards global recognition and a potential Olympic future. Luigi Carraro, president of the International Padel Federation, Padel (FIP), recently stepped up its efforts by attending the 54th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in Frankfurt, Germany. The meeting is part of a series of strategic discussions aimed at integrating padel into the programme of future Olympic Games.

Discussions with the highest authorities of world sport

During this meeting, Luigi Carraro spoke with several influential figures in international sport. Among them, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Juan Antonio Samaranch, a potential candidate for the presidency of the IOC. These meetings confirmed the growing interest in padel, a sport in full expansion, and reinforced the desire for its integration into the Olympic scene.

At the same time, a crucial meeting took place with kit mcconnell, IOC Sports Director and newly appointed Chief Sport Officer for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Discussions focused on the FIP's initiatives to develop and promote padel globally, a key step towards its inclusion in the Olympic Games.

Kit McConnell and Luigi Carraro

Padel and multi-sport events

Interest in padel is not limited to the Olympic Games. The discipline has already proven itself on the international scene by integrating prestigious multi-sport events. During the 2023 European Games in Krakow, padel has made a remarkable entrance, arousing the enthusiasm of athletes and spectators. In anticipation of the 2027 European Games in Istanbul, Luigi Carraro met with representatives of the Olympic Committee of Turkey as well as municipal officials of Istanbul to ensure a new participation of padel in this key event.

Another major step forward: the inclusion of padel in the program of Mediterranean Games 2026, thus confirming its growing status on the world sporting scene.

Growing support within the Olympic movement

Finally, Luigi Carraro took advantage of this meeting to congratulate Spyros Capralos, re-elected President of the European Olympic Committees, as well as Carlo Morati, the new Secretary General. These exchanges strengthen the relations between the FIP and the governing bodies of world sport, opening the way to new opportunities for padel.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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