Roller Sports at the Olympic Games
Roller Sports are a sport where athletes use skates to skate around the track. They were first featured at the 1992 Olympics as a demonstration sport. Today, they are part of the Pan American Games and may be included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The International Federation of Roller Sports governs the sport. It was founded in 1924 and the first world championships were held in 1937. The sport is very popular, and has been included in the Pan Am Games since the 1970s.
It is a demonstration sport at the 1992 Olympics
It has been over two decades since roller sports were included as demonstration sports at the 1992 Olympics, which were held in Barcelona. Roller sports, like roller derby, have become popular among people who enjoy the sport, but they are not considered an Olympic sport. However, some people have argued that they should be.
The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona included the demonstration sport of roller hockey, as well as two other popular sports. Roller hockey is a sport popular in the Catalonia region of Spain, and there are top-level competitive teams in the region. The Organizing Committee of the 1992 Olympics was convinced to include the sport, which was first introduced in the 1960s.
It may be included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
In an effort to bring more diversity to the Olympic Movement, roller sports are on the radar for the 2020 Tokyo Games. The International Skating Union (ISU) recently voted to include roller skating as an official event. This means skaters will be eligible for medals in international competitions, as well as in the Olympics. The 2020 Olympics are slated for November 12-15.
IOC president Thomas Bach acknowledged that the popularity of these sports in Japan was a factor in their approval. The IOC generally favors sports that the host city can provide the athletes, facilities, and fans.