But, efforts to earn Olympic status for any of the inline and roller sports disciplines were limited at the end of the 20th century. FIRS didn’t push the promotional envelope when quad hockey was a demonstration sport in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. FIRS’ attempts to get Olympic status became most active around 2000, when inline speed skating was promoted as the most suitable roller sport for the Olympics. Competition from at least 20 other sports also seeking entry into the Olympics - at a time when they were trying to reduce the number of participating sports - kept chances of entry very slim. Since inline racing didn’t get Olympic status, many inline speed skaters have switched to ice speed skating to get a shot at Olympic participation.
What is the Olympic status of inline and roller sports?
Now, roller sports disciplines continue to battle for available spots in the Olympic program by making presentations of our sports when the International Olympic Committee assembles to sports for inclusion. In the U.K., the British Inline Skater Hockey Association (BiSHA) is working with other disciplines to form one governing body with the aim of achieving Olympic status. BiSHA has now achieved Sports Council recognition and forms part of British Roller Sports Federation (BRSF) – the governing body for roller skating disciplines.
How can we help get inline sports into the Olympics?
FIRS is working hard to encourage members of the inline skating and roller sports to work together to achieve high standards of activity, competition, membership and promotions around the world – especially since these sports share many National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and have many disciplines governed by FIRS on the world level. Roller sports offer a variety of exciting, attractive and acrobatic sports, but many are not very well known to the general public. It is important that the IOC sees that inline skating and roller sports are popular all over the world, across many disciplines and in many media. FIRS has a new worldwide marketing and promotional plan in effect, but national, regional, local and individual support of these efforts is essential.
- Your team and club web sites,brochures, videos and booklets can help educate people on what inline and roller sports are about. Say good things about your sport. Make sure that every message is high quality in content and professionally executed. People are listening and watching.
- Petitions and written support letters to convince the IOC that we really should become Olympic could help.
- Most important is actual participation by people of all ages. Every recreational, fitness, social and session skater who is counted as part of the sport by an equipment manufacturer is as important as potential athletes when sports interest is evaluated. Skate a lot and invite others to skate.
Roller sports have been recognized by the IOC for several years, but we must push for high activity levels in competition and membership around the world. FIRS promotion and marketing efforts are not enough. The entire world of roller sports must convince the IOC and the media who influence them that we really are Olympic worthy. It is important that the IOC sees that roller sports are popular and unified all over the world.
