Why Billiards Should be an OLYMPIC SPORT

By Keith Loria

The 2024 Summer Olympics are set to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to Aug. 11, with 32 sports represented with various disciplines within each sport. Among them are archery, break dancing, surfing, golf and table tennis.

One sport not included is billiards. But why?

Many cue sport athletes, enthusiasts and those working in the industry believe this is an oversight and are trying to change that in the future.

The World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) is working to demonstrate the value of billiard sports to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the hopes of including cue sports in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia.

Barry Jenner, president of Cue Sports Australia and a member of the WCBS board, is spearheading the efforts by presenting the case to the Australian Olympic Committee and the Brisbane Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games.

“I believe billiard sports epitomize the Olympic spirit – there are 195 countries and territories recognized by the IOC, and billiard sports, in some form or another, are played in every one of them,” Jenner says. “I estimate that around 6 percent of the world’s population participate in billiard sports – that’s over 468 million people.”

Moreover, billiard sports have robust youth programs and offer inclusivity and accessibility, making it an attractive Olympic candidate. The sport is not dependent on physical prowess, enabling athletes of various ages, genders, and abilities to compete on equal footing. This inclusivity promotes a spirit of diversity and equality, key principles of the Olympic movement.

“As a sport, it is accessible to all, without any form of discrimination, such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status,” Jenner says. “The games are highly skillful and align with the Olympic values. They reward effort, promote strong educational values through rules and etiquette, and are socially responsible.”

Making Its Case

Cue sports combine precision, skill, and strategy and its rich history, global appeal, and growing competitive landscape make it a prime candidate for Olympic inclusion.

After all, billiard sports are already included in a number of international multi-sport events, such as 10-Ball Pool, Heyball Pool, Snooker and Carom all being featured in the World Games in Chengdu, China in July 2025.

“We hope to be accepted in both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games,” Jenner says. “Commercially, there is a massive audience. It is a sport in which the youth can and do excel. As it is played indoors and in controlled playing conditions – such as timed competitions – it can be easily scheduled in and around other events. There is a broad following worldwide and the sport is practiced by men and women across many different countries and continents.”

Billiards has deep historical roots, tracing back to the 15th century. Over the centuries, the sport has evolved and diversified, resulting in various disciplines such as pool, snooker, and carom billiards. This variety provides a broad appeal, engaging athletes and fans from around the world in a game that demands technical mastery and mental acuity.

International tournaments, including the World 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and 10-Ball Championships and World Snooker Championships, attract top talent and enthusiastic spectators. The sport’s international appeal and competitive landscape align with the Olympic vision of uniting the world through sports.

Moreover, billiards is well-suited for television and digital streaming, making it an excellent addition for broadcasting and engaging audiences worldwide. The sport’s captivating play, marked by high-stakes matches and intricate strategies, provides an exciting viewing experience that could attract new fans to the Olympics.

“The sport attracts and engages younger audiences, contributing to the regeneration and relevance of the Games and would help maintain the Olympics’ status as a premier sporting event,” Jenner says. “The sport will generate significant interest from broadcasters and sponsors and thus contribute to the financial sustainability of the Games. It is played in formats that are suitable for television and appealing to a broad audience.”

English professional pool and snooker champion Kelly Fisher believes that cue sports should 100 percent be included in future Olympic Games.

“Without a doubt, the skill, dedication, training and everything that comes with it makes it a perfect sport for the Olympics,” she says. “I see a lot of other Olympic sports that in my opinion don’t require the same level of mental toughness and talent. Billiards is a world-wide sport being played and I feel it’s unfair that it’s not recognized the same way as some other sports are. I think that’s a shame.”

Jorgen Sandman, emeritus president of the WCBS and general secretary of the World Pool Association, was heavily instrumental in having the WCBS recognized by the IOC as an International Federation and was heavily involved in Olympic bids that occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He believes getting billiards into the Olympics is a no-brainer.

“The popularity of a sport can be measured in how many people there are out there that can identify with it,” he says. “Bearing in mind that you will be able to find billiard tables absolutely everywhere in our society, including schools, youth centers, universities, pubs, bars, hotels, workplaces, social clubs, athletic clubs, bowling clubs, institutes, the military services and whatever other place you will find with enough space, we do have a good start.”