If you have been searching for what happened to the roller sports Olympic bid, the short answer is this: the IOC Executive Board rejected the bid in October 2009, choosing golf and rugby sevens instead. Despite more than a decade of advocacy from World Skate (formerly FIRS), roller sports has never been added to the Olympic program. The organization has continued pushing for inclusion in the 2020, 2024, and 2028 Games, but as of 2026, no Olympic spot has been secured.
I have followed roller sports coverage for years, and the story is one of persistent effort, narrow committee votes, and a competition for limited Olympic real estate that has gone against the sport. Below is the full history, the reasons cited for rejection, and where things stand for the 2028 Los Angeles and 2036 Games.
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What Happened to the Roller Sports Olympic Bid? A Quick Answer
The roller sports Olympic bid was rejected by the International Olympic Committee in October 2009 when the IOC Executive Board voted to add rugby sevens and golf to the 2016 Rio Olympics program instead. The decision came after multiple submission rounds in which World Skate, the international federation for roller sports, argued that the sport deserved a place based on global participation, youth appeal, and its parallel to successful winter speed skating events.
Then-FIRS President Sabatino Aracu called the decision “bitter” and publicly stated that “economic values prevailed on sport values.” The rejection effectively ended the bid cycle for the 2016 Games, and subsequent attempts for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and beyond have not yet produced a different outcome.
The Timeline of Roller Sports Olympic Bid Attempts
The push to bring roller sports into the Olympics is not new. It stretches back more than three decades, with several formal submission rounds and informal campaigns.
1992: Demonstration Sport Status
Roller sports first appeared on an Olympic stage as a demonstration sport at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Roller hockey was showcased to IOC officials and the public, generating visibility but not full medal status. The demonstration did not lead to inclusion, and the sport returned to the sidelines for the next two decades.
2005-2009: The 2016 Olympic Bid
World Skate began a formal bid campaign for the 2016 Rio Games in 2005. The bid package included ten proposed speed skating races ranging from 300 meters to 15 kilometers, along with artistic roller skating and roller hockey events. The federation argued that the popularity of winter speed skating would translate directly into audience interest for roller speed skating on wheels.
October 2009: The IOC Vote
On October 9, 2009, the IOC Executive Board selected golf and rugby sevens over roller sports for the 2016 program. The decision was made behind closed doors, with no public vote tally. World Skate officials expressed frustration that the federation received no formal explanation beyond the abstract claim that the selected sports had stronger global appeal and television potential.
2010s: Continued Submissions
Following the 2009 rejection, World Skate submitted refreshed bids for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Once again, the bid did not advance, with the IOC choosing to add sports like karate, skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing to the Tokyo program. These sports were later dropped or modified for the 2024 Paris Games, where breakdancing was controversially added and then removed.
2020s: 2028 Los Angeles and Beyond
For the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the IOC has shifted to a model allowing host committees to propose additional sports. As of 2026, roller sports has not been added to the LA 2028 program. Lacrosse, cricket, flag football, squash, and baseball/softball have been confirmed or proposed for individual Games. World Skate continues to lobby for 2036 and beyond.
Why Was the Roller Sports Olympic Bid Rejected in 2009?
The IOC Executive Board did not publish a single decisive reason for the rejection, but several factors emerged in the months and years following the vote.
Economic and Television Appeal
The IOC cited television appeal and global commercial viability as key criteria. Golf and rugby sevens had well-funded international federations, established tours, and recognizable broadcast partnerships. Roller sports, despite strong participation numbers, did not have comparable media rights deals or stadium-scale professional leagues in major markets.
Limited Global Federation Recognition
At the time of the 2009 vote, roller sports lacked a unified presence in countries with the largest IOC voting blocs. The federation, then called FIRS, was working to consolidate national governing bodies, but the structure was not as centralized as that of golf or rugby, which had stronger unified commercial fronts.
Competition for Limited Olympic Slots
The IOC caps the number of sports and athletes at the Games. Adding two large sports like golf and rugby sevens limited room for additional entries. World Skate officials argued that roller sports could have been added with a smaller footprint, but the IOC’s package deal sealed the decision.
World Skate’s Response
The federation’s official statement described the decision as prioritizing “economic values” over “sport values.” The criticism, while contested by IOC members, captured the frustration of roller sports advocates who felt the rejection overlooked genuine athletic merit.
Which Roller Sports Disciplines Were Included in the Olympic Bid?
The roller sports Olympic bid was not a single-event proposal. World Skate presented a multi-discipline package designed to showcase the sport’s variety.
Roller Speed Skating
The centerpiece of the bid was roller speed skating, with proposed races on a 400-meter track. Events included sprints from 300 meters up to 15 kilometers, modeled directly on the winter Olympics speed skating program. The federation argued that athletes who trained on ice could seamlessly transition to wheels, creating a year-round competitive season.
Artistic Roller Skating
Artistic roller skating, including figures, dance, and freestyle, was proposed as a judged discipline. The format mirrors figure skating and had an established international competition structure, including World Championships going back decades.
Inline Slalom and Downhill
Inline slalom events, where skaters navigate cones on a downhill course, were included as a youth-focused addition. The format was already featured at the Asian Games and had a strong following in East Asia.
Rink Hockey and Roller Derby
Roller hockey (quad skate rink hockey) was part of the package, given its existing Olympic demonstration history in 1992. Roller derby, while growing fast globally, was not formally included in the 2016 bid but has been part of recent advocacy efforts.
Why Was Roller Sports Rejected While Breakdancing Was Accepted?
This is one of the most common questions in roller sports communities. In 2020, the IOC approved breakdancing (breaking) as a new sport for the 2024 Paris Olympics, only to drop it after the Paris Games. Many skaters and fans asked why a dance-based urban sport was welcomed while roller sports was not.
The short answer is timing and host-driven selection. Breakdancing was added because the Paris 2024 organizing committee proposed it as part of its host-driven sports program. The IOC approved it on the strength of the host’s commitment, not through the open IOC bid process that roller sports had pursued. Roller sports, by contrast, has consistently sought to enter through the central IOC pathway, which requires competing against multiple sports and winning a majority vote.
The decision was widely criticized, and breaking was not retained for the 2028 Los Angeles program. The episode left roller sports advocates frustrated that cultural relevance and youth appeal had been recognized in another sport but not theirs.
Future of Roller Sports in the Olympics: 2028 and 2036
The roller sports Olympic bid remains an active project. World Skate has continued to lobby for inclusion, citing global participation figures, the growth of inline skating in Asia and Latin America, and the strong youth demographic of the sport.
2028 Los Angeles Olympics
For the 2028 LA Games, the IOC has confirmed lacrosse, cricket, and flag football among additional sports. Roller sports has not been added to the program, though advocacy efforts continue. The host-driven model favors sports with strong local federations and broadcast appeal in the host country, which has historically not benefited roller sports in US bid rounds.
2036 and Beyond
Looking further out, the 2036 Olympics will be awarded to a city rather than a sport, with the host city determining additional sports. If roller sports secures a host country with strong domestic federation support, it could improve its chances. World Skate has also pushed for inclusion in regional multisport events like the Pan American Games and Asian Games to build IOC credibility.
Why Roller Sports Still Has a Case
The argument for roller sports has not weakened. The federation points to millions of participants worldwide, established international championships, and the unique dual-season training connection with winter speed skating. As the IOC continues to seek sports that appeal to younger audiences and digital-first viewers, roller sports remains a contender for future Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is roller skating not in the Olympics?
Roller skating is not in the Olympics because the IOC rejected the roller sports Olympic bid in October 2009 in favor of golf and rugby sevens for the 2016 Rio Games. Subsequent bids for 2020 and beyond have not been approved, and the sport has not been added to the host-driven sports programs for 2024 Paris or 2028 Los Angeles.
Has rollerskating ever been in the Olympics?
Roller sports has only appeared at the Olympics as a demonstration sport, most notably at the 1992 Barcelona Games where roller hockey was showcased. It has never been included as a full medal event in any Summer or Winter Olympics.
Will roller skating ever be an Olympic sport?
Roller skating could become an Olympic sport in future Games, particularly if World Skate secures a host country with strong domestic support for the 2036 or later Olympics. The IOC has not committed to including roller sports as of 2026, but the federation continues to build its case through regional multisport events and youth engagement programs.
What is roller sports Olympic status?
As of 2026, roller sports is recognized by the IOC as an international federation member but does not have a place on the Olympic program. World Skate (formerly FIRS) continues to submit bids for upcoming Games, and the sport remains featured at the Asian Games, Pan American Games, and World Championships.
Why was roller sports rejected for the Olympics?
The IOC cited television appeal, global commercial viability, and federation structure as key reasons for rejecting the roller sports Olympic bid. The federation argued that economic values had overridden sport values, and the decision prioritized established commercial sports like golf and rugby sevens over emerging or grassroots-heavy disciplines.
The Roller Sports Olympic Bid: Where Things Stand
The story of the roller sports Olympic bid is one of sustained effort meeting limited opportunity. Since the 1992 Barcelona demonstration event, the federation has spent more than three decades building a case for inclusion, presenting detailed discipline packages, and adapting to each new IOC selection process. The October 2009 rejection, in favor of golf and rugby sevens for the 2016 Rio Games, was the most decisive setback. The later addition of breakdancing for 2024, followed by its removal after Paris, only sharpened the frustration of the global roller sports community.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Games and the 2036 Olympics, the path forward depends on host-country advocacy, federation coordination, and the IOC’s evolving appetite for youth-driven and digitally native sports. The roller sports Olympic bid is not over. If you are a skater, a fan, or simply someone interested in how Olympic sport selection works, the best next step is to follow World Skate’s announcements and support local federation efforts that strengthen the sport’s case for future Games.