Le padel at the Olympic Games, a topic that has been debated for several years. Yet the padel seems to be the fashionable sport on all continents. A sport in full development, of course, but some believe that it starts from too far to hope to be part of the family of Olympic sports.

Let's stay cautious

Remember, already in 2018, it was believed that the padel could have been part of the Olympic Games in Japan in 2020. But we knew a little later that it was a waste of time because the padel was not ready enough for 2020.

On the other hand, the Paris Olympics in 2024, and why not? Sport is getting organized, its bodies are in the process of being set up, the padel is growing all over the world and above all it is a very popular sport. Are we right to believe that the padel can become an Olympic sport from 2024?

The International Federation of Padel has this ambition. And she says she works hard at it. The proof with this announcement of the FIP to integrate padel at the 2023 European Games.

Why are these European Games so important?

Today, there are no more sports demonstrations at the Olympic Games. The European Games are gradually becoming the anti-chamber of new sports that can be integrated into the Olympic Games. This is only the 3e edition and it will take place in Krakow, Poland. But it is a nation where this sport is developing.

The FIP is already in the running to offer padel in 2023. But it will be too late for the Paris Olympics the following year. However, the decision-making for the 2023 European games could take place before the decisions for the Paris Olympics.

Voices are raised against the padel at the Olympics

Of course, many sports want to be part of the family of Olympic sports. Like squash, for example, who has been trying to be part of JO for decades ... without success. And a priori, it will not be in 2024 yet. Too bad for France, by the way, because it had chances of medals.

On the other hand, in the padel, France, has no chance of medals. Without citing actors of padel French speakers, they tell us delighted to see this sport develop at full speed, but at the same time, “are we still on equal terms against the best players in the world?"

The question that we ask you is therefore whether it is absolutely necessary that France or Belgium has a chance of medals to be part of the Olympic Games.

Only Spain, Argentina or Brazil have a chance. Just look at the latest global results.

Beyond the medals, even if France, by team becomes more and more dangerous, the padel Wouldn't he have everything to gain from being thrown on the front of the stage during the Olympics? We know: It suffices for this to be the case to see the number of licensees explode. And that's the goal: To create this virtuous circle.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.