Why Isn’t Baseball an Olympic Sport in Paris 2024? Will It Return in Los Angeles 2028?

Here’s the reason why baseball is not part of the Olympic Games this time around.

The last World Baseball Classic in March 2023 showcased baseball’s global appeal in a way few had anticipated. Historians will note Japan’s thrilling 3-2 victory over the United States, highlighted by Shohei Ohtani’s dramatic strikeout of Mike Trout for the final out.

But beyond the scores and statistics, the tournament created a magical atmosphere that captivated fans worldwide. The vibrant energy across multiple venues drew unprecedented crowds for an international baseball competition.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic set a new attendance record with 1,306,414 fans, marking a 20% increase over the previous record set in 2017. The sold-out championship game at LoanDepot Park in Miami, home of the Marlins, saw over 200 accredited media workers covering the event.

Why Was Baseball Excluded from the 2024 Olympic Games?

Despite the sport’s strong following, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to exclude baseball from the Paris 2024 program. Several factors influenced this decision, including the lack of suitable infrastructure in France. Only about 13,000 people play baseball in the host country, and although there has been a 7% increase in registered players over the past year, it remains a relatively niche sport.

As the host nation, France opted to include sports where they have a higher chance of winning medals, such as breakdancing. Additionally, both the IOC and French organizers argued that baseball lacks the global relevance needed to be a staple in the Olympics, a point that faced significant criticism from fans and officials alike.

Baseball has a long history with the Olympics, first appearing as an exhibition sport in the 1900 Paris Games. It became an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and continued until the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Baseball made a return at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as one of the five temporary sports, largely due to the host country’s influence.

Looking Ahead to Los Angeles 2028

There is hope that baseball will make a comeback at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where the sport has a strong following and well-established infrastructure. The decision will ultimately depend on various factors, including lobbying efforts by baseball organizations and the sport’s continued global popularity.

In conclusion, while baseball’s exclusion from Paris 2024 is disappointing for many, there is optimism for its return in future Olympic Games.