The International Olympic Committee (IOC) endorsed full recognition of World Lacrosse for men’s and women’s lacrosse, an important step forward in the sport’s journey to becoming included in the Olympics.
There is no timeline for when a vote to determine if World Lacrosse will be granted full recognition will happen, though it could come as soon as next month before the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
If World Lacrosse is provided full recognition, it would guarantee the organization’s status in the Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF), and it would keep World Lacrosse eligible for monetary aide through the IOC Development Program. World Lacrosse would also have access to IOC meetings, educational seminars, publications and more. It would not immediately make lacrosse an Olympic sport.
“WHILE TODAY’S DECISION BY THE IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD REPRESENTS YET ANOTHER IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR WORLD LACROSSE, WE WILL NOT REST OR STAND STILL,” WORLD LACROSSE CEO JIM SCHERR SAID IN A STATEMENT. “THIS IS A CATALYST THAT WILL DRIVE AND SHAPE OUR EFFORTS TO CONTINUE EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN LACROSSE AND IMPROVING OUR CAPABILITIES AS AN INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION.”
Lacrosse has been in the Olympics before – it first appeared in 1904 in St. Louis and was a medal sport in 1904 and 1908. It was then played as a demonstration sport in 1928, 1932, and 1948.
This move continues lacrosse down the path to meet the goal set by World Lacrosse: the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Games.
For the original article and to learn more about the World Lacrosse organization, please visit https://laxallstars.com/ioc-endorses-world-lacrosse-full-recognition/.
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