Which Sport Is Not in the Olympics? A Fan’s Journey Through the Excluded Games

I’ll never forget the first time I found out that some sports just don’t make it to the Olympics. I was at a bar with a bunch of friends after an intense weekend of watching the Tokyo 2020 Games (yes, they happened in 2021, weird, right?). We were all hyped up about the sports that made it big—like skateboarding and surfing—when someone casually dropped the bomb: "Can you believe squash still isn’t an Olympic sport?" It was one of those moments where the conversation came to a halt, and we all stared at each other, trying to wrap our heads around it.

How could something as fast-paced and exciting as squash, a game that demands such agility, focus, and skill, not be included in the greatest sporting event on Earth? Well, it turns out that the Olympic Games are a lot more political and complicated than we realize. So, let me take you through the world of sports that should be in the Olympics, the ones that are probably never going to make it, and those that fans like me still hope will one day get their chance. This is a story of what could have been—and, honestly, some lingering frustration.

The One That Got Away: Squash

Let’s start with squash. If you’ve ever played, you know what a crazy workout it is. Squash players are like a mix of sprinters and chess players—constantly darting across the court, while strategizing every single shot. It’s one of those games that looks easy on TV, but when you try it, you’ll realize it’s anything but. The intensity, the fast-paced action, and the mental endurance make it one of the most underappreciated sports around.

So why isn’t it in the Olympics? Well, despite having a global following and being part of the Commonwealth Games (shoutout to all my UK and Aussie friends), squash hasn’t made it to the big stage of the Summer Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has its own criteria—whether it's the sport’s popularity worldwide, the infrastructure, or even how well it fits into the already-packed Olympic schedule. As of now, squash has been rejected multiple times, even after a handful of attempts to join in.

I had a conversation with a squash player once—an old buddy of mine who’s been in the game since he was a teenager. He was almost bitter when we talked about it. “The sport is fast, entertaining, and global, yet we’re still stuck on the outside,” he said. And honestly, it got me thinking about how much more the sport deserves to be on the world stage.

Baseball/Softball: An Olympic Love Affair That Came and Went

Now, baseball and softball—here’s a sport that’s been in and out of the Olympics like it’s trying to figure out if it’s going steady with the IOC or just wants to play the field. Baseball was in the Olympics in the early 20th century, disappeared for decades, and then made a return in 1992 before being dropped again in 2008. It was finally added back for Tokyo 2020 (2021), but it seems like it's still walking on eggshells.

Personally, I’ve always loved baseball. I remember my first trip to a live game, surrounded by the buzz of fans cheering, the crack of the bat, the smell of popcorn and beer in the air—it’s a vibe. But when it comes to the Olympics, there are so many other factors involved that it makes you wonder if it’ll stick around or be relegated to the history books again.

I’ve been part of plenty of late-night debates about this. One friend, a huge softball fan, said it was unfair how the sport had been treated. "Softball is one of the most inclusive sports out there, yet they booted it for no reason," she’d argue. And, I get it. The dynamic between baseball and softball has always been strange, especially since the Olympics kept letting in new sports like golf and skateboarding, but left out the classics like softball.

Who knows? Maybe baseball’s Olympic status will be permanent, or maybe it’s just a phase. If I had to place bets, though, I’d say we’re going to see a lot more back-and-forth over the years.

Rugby Sevens: A Shining Example of an Olympic Comeback

Okay, let’s move on to something a bit more recent—rugby sevens. This one’s an interesting story. Rugby, the 15-player beast of a sport, wasn’t included in the Olympics for decades. It was one of those ancient Olympic traditions that just faded out. But in 2016, rugby sevens made its glorious return to the Summer Games in Rio, and fans everywhere went wild.

I was at a local pub when Fiji clinched the gold medal in Rio, and let me tell you—it was electric. The Fijian team’s energy, the way they moved, the intensity—everyone was in awe. Rugby sevens has this unique charm; it’s shorter, faster, and feels more accessible to the casual viewer compared to the full 15-player version. I still remember my non-rugby-watching friends being hooked after just a few minutes of watching that game. If you haven’t checked out rugby sevens, do yourself a favor and tune in next time—it’s one of those sports that sneaks up on you and gets you addicted.

What’s interesting about rugby’s Olympic journey is how it went from being excluded for so long to now being one of the most exciting sports in the Games. Maybe this is what keeps some of us hopeful about other excluded sports—there’s always the possibility of a surprise comeback.

The Debate: What Will (or Won’t) Make It?

As much as I’d love to see squash, baseball, or even cricket back in the Olympics, I’ve come to realize it’s not just about how cool a sport is. The IOC considers things like global popularity, television revenue potential, gender equality, and more. Sometimes, the personal emotions we have as fans just don’t align with the hard business side of the Games. Take, for example, the controversial exclusion of karate after its Olympic debut in Tokyo. Karate fans were heartbroken, but when you look at the numbers and the shifting priorities, it starts to make sense (even if it doesn’t feel fair).

So, here we are—debating what sports deserve a shot at Olympic glory. Personally, I’d love to see squash make a comeback (come on, IOC, get it together), and maybe one day, cricket’s brief Olympic stint will turn into something more permanent. Until then, we’ll continue having passionate discussions with friends at bars, or, if you’re like me, getting worked up over Olympic sports on Twitter.

In the end, whether or not a sport makes it into the Olympics doesn’t change the way we love it. Some sports will continue to fight for their spot on the biggest stage in the world, while others will stay on the sidelines, where passionate fans will still root for them like there’s no tomorrow. And that, to me, is what makes sport so special.

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