Here's why lacrosse should be at the 2024 Olympics
Recently golf was instated to return to the Olympics, but what about lacrosse -- the game that hasn't been awarded a medal in over 100 years?
SEE MORE: Everything you need to know about the Summer Olympics
Let's take a look at some reasons why "the fastest game on two feet" should return to the 2024 Olympics:
1. This wouldn't be the sport's first Olympic appearance.
Lacrosse was a medal sport at both the 1904 and 1908 Olympic games, with Canada winning the gold both times. It was also a demonstration event during the 1948 London Olympics. Since Olympic lacrosse has been around for so long, it's only right to bring it back.
2. Lacrosse would definitely qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
The International Olympic committee has specific criteria that each sport has to reach before it becomes an on official Olympic sport. In 2013, the Federation of International Lacrosse Director Tom Hayes said they were filing for provisional recognition by the IOC, which requires 50 affiliated countries across three continents to be participate in lacrosse. Hayes also mentioned he felt that the number of participating nations could exceed 100 by 2024 –- the target year for Olympic inclusion.
3. It's actually a very popular sport.
As of 2016, there are 55 nations confirmed as FIL members with Haiti being the latest edition to the roster. This means there would be plenty of solid competition at the Olympics, and who wouldn't want to see that? Lacrosse is a very fast paced and physical game with an estimated of 750,000 athletes in the U.S. The soccer and hockey crossbreed game would definitely attract and maintain an Olympic audience.
4. Lacrosse athletes already play for passion rather than money.
Because lacrosse players aren't paid as much as other athletes, their ultimate reward is passion. Lacrosse is a sport that requires athletes to be extremely devoted to their craft and like most Olympic sports, money is not the absolute goal. Since lacrosse athletes already know what it takes to play for the love of the game, the sport would definitely exhibit a "go big or go home" mentality at the Olympics.
The Federation of International Lacrosse is working extremely hard for an Olympic comeback but until then, stay tuned for the IWGA World Games in Poland beginning July 2017.
By: Brittaney Trent
