International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach stated that the international recognition and participation of Wushu will play a crucial role in determining its future as an official sport of the Olympic Games, reports Xinhua.
Wushu, a martial art, has been included as a medal sport in the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, which is often seen as a key indicator for the inclusion of new sports in the Olympic Games. During the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, organisers held a wushu competition as part of a cultural and educational programme.
Bach mentioned that wushu, like sport climbing and breaking, needed to be tested in a “laboratory” environment. Both sport climbing and breaking were added to the Olympic Games following successful trials at previous Youth Olympic Games. “We are delighted to include wushu in the official programme of Dakar 2026. It is highly valued in Senegal, the host country of the Youth Olympic Games, and there is great enthusiasm for it,” Bach stated.
“Wushu’s Olympic debut is expected in two years’ time,” the IOC President announced. Bach noted that the traditional Chinese sport would have a solid basis for evaluation after its Olympic debut in Dakar.
“After the debut, we will have to wait and observe the level of international recognition and participation, as well as the overall performance of the competition. After this analysis, we will be in a position to make a decision on the inclusion of wushu in the Olympic programme in the future,” Bach concluded.
By Rafael Khalatyan
Shuaeeb Is a seasoned sportswriter, social worker, and philanthropist. He has been renowned for his support of disabled sports persons and championing for equal rights and opportunities for all sports persons. He currently does sports volunteering and disability support work aside from writing for this August media.
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