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English Heritage wants to make jousting an Olympic sport

And all the other sports we think should be considered as well

English Heritage wants to make jousting an Olympic sport
21 July 2016

"We want to make jousting an Olympic sport."

That's about all the English Heritage would need to say to us if we had a seat on the International Olympic Committee. "Yes, you're bloody right. It can replace dressage." 

Given the ancient sport's combination of athleticism, agility, control and equestrian skills, the charity group is sincere in its belief that jousting should gain a spot as an Olympic event.

"We are being deadly serious," said Lucy Hutchings, English Heritage’s head of projects. "It is an incredible spectator sport, a really fascinating thing to watch. The skill of the knight and the horses make it a great thing to witness… we absolutely believe it deserves its place at the Olympic table."

It would make a change from King Arthur's round table. But how likely would it be?

Sports must meet a number of criteria before the Olympic Committee will consider making it an official Olympic event:

  • It must be governed by an international non-governmental organisation that oversees at least one sport
  • It must be played world wide
  • It must be recognised by the International Sports Federation 
  • It must meet a set of rules that vary depending on if it's sport, a discipline, or an event

The charity group is launching a petition to promote jousting's bid for inclusion in the list of 28 games that will take place at Tokyo 2020. It already faces competition from the likes of skateboarding, climbing and surfing as potential new sports. 

"If skateboarding can be included then jousting has a good chance," said Hutchings. 

If jousting can be considered, here some other sports we'd love to see included in a future Olympic event...

Twister

It would be a gymnastics event. 

Pogs

It would be the new table tennis in no time.

The floor is lava

The living-room classic could finally get the recognition it deserves.

Tossing the caber

Partly because it's a badass sport we should see more of, also because it would mean Team GB wins a heap more medals. 

British Bulldog

Essentially, rugby sevens, but without the ball and with more contact. 

Cheese rolling

The Swiss are going to win gold, you just know it.

Bubble football

Played by ex-pros. 

Laserquest

There are loads of shooting sports, right? But they're all a bit dull - standing still, taking their time, that kind of thing. Give them laser guns, sensor vests and make them run around a cramped warehouse. Brilliance.

Stuck in the mud

Jamaica would clean up on this. Usain Bolt? No fair. 

Pokémon GO

Five minutes, one area, catch as many as you can. Bonus points given for any particularly high level or rare Pokémon.