As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics have drawn to a close, it’s safe to say that the world has witnessed outstanding displays of athleticism that push the limits of physical possibility. From the world’s fastest man being determined by a matter of just a few thousandths of a second to the comeback and solidified dominance of Simone Biles, this Olympics has brought thrilling moments in every sport. In Paris, the world’s best have been able to cement their name in history and create a legacy for their country with a gold medal.
But in some sports, it seems that this isn’t quite the case. In men’s soccer, star-less squads compete against each other, and world-cup-winning national teams get knocked out before ever reaching a medal match, while others simply aren’t in the tournament. In the Peacock broadcast of men’s 3×3 basketball a QR code was displayed for viewers to vote on which NBA players would make up their ultimate dream team if they could play in this event. If the Olympics is supposed to be the pinnacle of sport, why aren’t we seeing some of the world’s most talented athletes?
The answer is complicated and varies from sport to sport, but in all scenarios, it is important to understand who ultimately makes the rules in each event. The International Olympic Committee, or the IOC, is responsible for putting the Games together, while International Federations are the ones who dictate the rules and regulations for each individual event. Some of the more widely recognized International Federations are FIFA, the word soccer body, or FIBA, for world basketball.
In men’s soccer, FIFA regulations heavily dictate what players make the Olympic roster. Only three players above the age of 23 are allowed to play for their country, while everyone else on the squad has to be under 23 years old. This restriction eliminates a lot of talent from playing at the Games. This rule is designed to make sure the Games do not rival FIFA’s World Cup.
In some cases, young superstars such as Mbappé who had interest and eligibility to play in the Games, were still unable to make their own decision on whether or not they could compete. FIFA does not consider the Games to be on the international calendar which would release all international players from their clubs. Individual clubs are the ones who choose to let their players go, having to consider the risk of injury.
Of course, injury is a key factor that all players themselves have to take into account. With two major international tournaments (Euro 2024 and Copa America) taking place earlier this summer, athletes may want time off to recover or just not want to risk missing their club season with an injury.
When it comes to USA basketball, this risk also is a turn-off for many NBA superstars. As a result, the squad that has been sent to the Games the past few years hasn’t been chock-full of All-Star players. Of course, this changed in Paris where a team of legends assembled to take on the international tournament partially due to controversial opinions made by US track star, Noah Lyles.
NBA and WNBA players also haven’t been able to make their way onto 3×3 basketball squads. While they technically can compete, in order to qualify they would have to miss significant amounts of time in the league to play in international competitions. For most clubs, this probably wouldn’t be acceptable and as for the players, it could affect their paycheck.
In a competition that celebrates athleticism at the highest level, it shouldn’t be a question of whether the best of the best are able to play, it should be a question of whether or not they want to play. There are some sports where an athlete’s career is held in the hands of greater organizations and they miss out on the experience of a lifetime.
Perhaps these organizations should learn from what the NFL is doing for the LA 2028 Olympics. After flag football was officially added to the upcoming Games, the NFL has been actively promoting the sport and some of the biggest names in the league are wanting to represent their country.
Competing in the Olympics should be more accessible to the world’s best athletes, whether the change comes from an international or club level. The people who have mastered their craft deserve a chance to do it on the biggest stage.
