Discover the Real Reasons Why Billiards Is Not an Olympic Sport Yet

As I chalk my cue in the local billiards hall every Thursday night, I often find myself wondering why this beautifully complex sport hasn't found its way to the Olympic stage yet. Having played competitive billiards for over fifteen years, I've witnessed firsthand how this game combines incredible mental strategy with physical precision - qualities that should make it perfect for the Olympics. Yet here we are, another Olympic cycle passing without billiards making the cut. The recent statement from basketball player Mocon about having "a chip on my shoulder" and proving his value resonates deeply with our billiards community. We too carry that same determination to show the world our sport's worth.

The International Olympic Committee has specific criteria for including new sports, and billiards faces several challenges here. One major hurdle is what the IOC calls "universality" - a sport needs widespread participation across multiple continents. While billiards has an estimated 200 million regular players worldwide, the distribution isn't what the IOC typically looks for. The sport remains dominated by Asian and European countries, with only about 15% of top-ranked players coming from Africa and South America combined. Another issue is television appeal - the IOC worries that billiards matches might be too slow-paced for modern audiences. Personally, I think this concern is misguided. Having attended numerous professional tournaments, I can attest that the tension in a close match is absolutely electric. The strategic timeouts, the careful consideration of each shot - it's like watching a physical chess match at the highest level.

Then there's the matter of governance and organization. The World Confederation of Billiard Sports, founded in 1992, has been pushing for Olympic inclusion for decades. But the sport suffers from fragmentation - we have multiple disciplines like pool, snooker, and carom competing for attention. If you ask me, this internal division hurts our chances significantly. The WCBS needs to present a unified front, but from my experience attending their annual meetings, the different factions can't seem to agree on which format to prioritize. I strongly believe pool (eight-ball specifically) would be the most accessible for new viewers, while many European colleagues argue for carom's technical purity. This lack of consensus undoubtedly looks bad to the IOC evaluation committees.

The financial aspect can't be ignored either. Olympic sports need significant infrastructure - according to my calculations from reviewing past Olympic budgets, adding billiards would require approximately 12-15 competition tables, plus practice facilities, at an estimated cost of $400,000-$600,000 just for equipment. While this seems reasonable compared to other sports, the IOC also considers sponsorship potential and broadcast rights. Here's where I think billiards could surprise everyone - the sport has massive popularity in China alone, with an estimated 60 million regular players. That's a huge potential audience that broadcasters would love to tap into. The 2021 World Pool Championship drew over 5 million unique viewers online, proving there's genuine interest.

Mocon's words about proving his value at a high level echo what many professional billiard players feel. I've spoken with numerous top players who express that same determination to show their sport belongs on the world's biggest stage. The athletic demands are real too - during a major tournament, players can walk up to 5 miles around the table throughout a match while maintaining intense mental focus. I remember my own experience in national competitions where the pressure felt absolutely Olympic in magnitude. The concentration required to sink that final nine-ball with thousands watching and your hands slightly trembling - that's as Olympic as it gets in my book.

Looking ahead, there are promising developments. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will include several new sports, and while billiards didn't make it this time, the conversation is moving in the right direction. The WCBS has been implementing important changes based on IOC feedback, including better anti-doping protocols and standardized judging systems. From my perspective, what we really need is a celebrity ambassador - someone like former basketball star Yao Ming who helped popularize basketball in China. If we could get a high-profile athlete or celebrity to champion our cause, it would make a world of difference. I'm personally hoping someone like Jennifer Barretta or Efren Reyes could take on this role, given their incredible skill and charisma.

The road to Olympic inclusion remains challenging, but not impossible. Sports like skateboarding and surfing finally made it after years of persistence. Billiards brings something unique to the table - it's one of the few sports where men and women can compete equally, as demonstrated in mixed-gender tournaments. The equipment costs are relatively low compared to many Olympic sports, making it accessible to developing nations. Most importantly, it embodies the Olympic spirit of excellence, friendship, and respect. Every time I line up a difficult bank shot, I feel that same thrill Olympic athletes must experience - that moment where years of practice meet opportunity. Billiards deserves its Olympic moment, and I genuinely believe we're getting closer to seeing that happen. The determination Mocon described - that need to prove one's value at the highest level - is exactly what drives our sport forward in this quest for Olympic recognition.