Out: Breaking. In? The sports that should be added and ditched for LA 2028

The Los Angeles Olympics are four years away, and we already know that cricket, lacrosse and baseball/softball will return to the program, while squash and flag football make their Olympic debuts. But if our team of reporters who have covered Paris 2024 had their way, these are the sports that would be added and ditched for LA28 and, beyond, for Brisbane 2032.

Ditch it: Breaking. Fair dinkum. My moves are among the worst of anyone but I’m closer to a gold medal in breaking than I am in most sports. 3x3 basketball can also get in the bin. After getting to watch LeBron James and Steph Curry light it up, do you think anyone wants to watch 3x3? It’s like having T20 cricket and one-dayers in the same tournament.

Add it: Snooker. Personal preference, of course, but it’s a big sport played by many people, including the Asian market. Would also boost the profile of women’s snooker, which doesn’t get enough love. Perhaps rugby league after its foray into the USA earlier this year for Magic Round. A taste test of what could come in Brisbane.

Ditch it: It’s time to rethink equestrian events, particularly dressage, aka horse dancing. Equestrian is for rich people in rich countries. Dressage is so technical that only the people who do it - European aristocrats and the like - can pick a great from an average performance. To the rest of us, it’s dull.

Add it: Speaking of rich people, the IOC could consider Formula 1. They’ve included skateboarding and breaking to lure younger viewers, but glamorous motor racing would hook them by the millions. Of course, I jest. Nothing should be added. Short of four-square handball or putt-putt for Brisbane, the Olympics are full.

Ditch it: As fun as it is to watch, Olympic swimming has grown too big for its togs. One of the individual medleys (we’ll let Léon choose), the 200m freestyle relays, the mixed relays and the 800m can all go.

Add it: Nothing. The Games are full.

I’ve got an unsated appetite for Australia gold medals now, so why don’t we add a guaranteed one for LA? It’s said that there are 100 million competitive 10-pin bowlers in the world, and the undisputed best of them - the literal GOAT - is an Aussie, Jason Belmonte. In an American setting, let’s bring strikes and spares - and another green and gold medal - to the games.

Ditch it: My golden rule for Olympic events is that the medal should represent the pinnacle achievement within the sport. This rules out a few current Olympic competitions, but none so much as tennis, which is already incredibly high profile, highly compensated, and has four slams a year, plus important international cups, each of which would be more important to the players than Olympic gold.

Add it: If anything has become abundantly clear in Paris is that international boxing needs to clean up its act if it wants to be an Olympic sport in LA. One could argue there are already enough combat sports at the Games, but Muaythai could make a nice substitute if boxing were to fall by the wayside. Plus, unlike the International Boxing Association, the International Federation of Muaythai Associations is a body recognised by the IOC.

Ditch it: I can think of a couple of sports that I would give a miss. Dressage and golf are among them. But to be consistent, I think boxing should be given a leave of absence. It could make an Olympic return down the track but until it gets its house in order and a functional federation, it’s a no from me.

Ditch it: Cricket should go before it’s even returned. There’s a reason it’s not been on the program for more than a century, and it’s the same reason golf and tennis are an off fit: the Olympic Games do not represent the pinnacle of their respective sports. It has nothing to with cricket itself, and everything to do with the IOC and International Cricket Council’s desire for money.

Add it: Darts. Yep, I’m going to go there, and the case is simple. The traditional pub activity is now recognised almost worldwide as a professional sport requiring a high level of skill and years of practice. But it is also one of the most inclusive, in that it can be mastered by just about anyone, of any age, gender and socioeconomic circumstances. It is also just great to watch.

Ditch it: I’m all for new sports at the Olympics. They have to move with the times, or else we’d still have tug-of-war, live pigeon shooting and a swimming event for sailors only. Skateboarding, surfing and sports climbing are welcome. But breaking? Spare me. Even breaking doesn’t want breaking to be in the Olympics. It’s out for Los Angeles 2028 and not before time.

Add it: One of the paradoxes of the Olympics is that it engages the world, but it is made up largely of sports that the world pays minimal attention to the other three years and 50 weeks of the cycle, and which need commentators to explain what the hell is happening. I’d settle for lawn bowls or hurling, but I’m prepared to meet the Olympic movement halfway in its whacky sports ideals and welcome in grass skiing.

Ditch it: Breaking, kite surfing, the boulder component of climbing (sheesh) and dump the mixed relays in swimming and athletics. Relay mixed walk? Zzzzzzz. If boxing can’t get its act together after the events of the past fortnight, it can go, too.

Add it: I think there’s too much on the Olympic program now, so I wouldn’t be adding anything. But here’s a controversial one to consider: UFC. I’m not a big fan but you can’t deny its global appeal.

Ditch it: As much as it’s a winner for the Australians I think there is too much swimming. Nine nights are too much, and it should not overlap with the men’s and women’s 100m sprint on the athletics track. Somehow it must be condensed. 3x3 basketball is just ridiculous. Get rid of it. And scrap the rugby sevens too.

Add it: It’s great that baseball and softball will make a return in Los Angeles, but can we see some handball? Not the European variety, but that schoolyard stuff we all grew up on? I’d pay big money to see Australia, in ace of course, kick the Americans into dunce with Mexico and Canada savouring the moment in kings and queens.

Ditch it: Of the very little I saw of breaking, that can go in the “au revoir” category as we head to Los Angeles, where you’ll see better performances at Venice Beach.

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