To Play or not to Play: Modeling Future Olympic Games

Background

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is planning the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane, Australia. As the Olympics evolve, the IOC aims to keep the Games both relevant and impactful by adding sports, disciplines, or events (SDEs) that resonate with modern values and appeal to a global audience. Throughout Olympic history, SDEs have been introduced, removed, or even reintroduced to reflect the times. For example, in 2020, Karate, Sport Climbing, Surfing, and Skateboarding made their Olympic debut. However, Karate was no longer included in the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Breaking (also known as breakdancing) was introduced. Looking forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Flag Football, Lacrosse, and Coastal Rowing will be added, while Baseball and Softball will return to be contested in the 2028 Games after a 20-year absence.