English Heritage wants to make jousting an Olympic sport
And all the other sports we think should be considered as well
"We want to make jousting an Olympic sport."
That's about all the English Heritage would need to say to us if we had a seat on the International Olympic Committee. "Yes, you're bloody right. It can replace dressage."
Given the ancient sport's combination of athleticism, agility, control and equestrian skills, the charity group is sincere in its belief that jousting should gain a spot as an Olympic event.
"We are being deadly serious," said Lucy Hutchings, English Heritage’s head of projects. "It is an incredible spectator sport, a really fascinating thing to watch. The skill of the knight and the horses make it a great thing to witness… we absolutely believe it deserves its place at the Olympic table."
It would make a change from King Arthur's round table. But how likely would it be?
Sports must meet a number of criteria before the Olympic Committee will consider making it an official Olympic event:
- It must be governed by an international non-governmental organisation that oversees at least one sport
- It must be played world wide
- It must be recognised by the International Sports Federation
- It must meet a set of rules that vary depending on if it's sport, a discipline, or an event
The charity group is launching a petition to promote jousting's bid for inclusion in the list of 28 games that will take place at Tokyo 2020. It already faces competition from the likes of skateboarding, climbing and surfing as potential new sports.
"If skateboarding can be included then jousting has a good chance," said Hutchings.
If jousting can be considered, here some other sports we'd love to see included in a future Olympic event...
Twister
It would be a gymnastics event.
Pogs
It would be the new table tennis in no time.
The floor is lava
The living-room classic could finally get the recognition it deserves.
Tossing the caber
Partly because it's a badass sport we should see more of, also because it would mean Team GB wins a heap more medals.
British Bulldog
Essentially, rugby sevens, but without the ball and with more contact.
Cheese rolling
The Swiss are going to win gold, you just know it.
Bubble football
Played by ex-pros.
Laserquest
There are loads of shooting sports, right? But they're all a bit dull - standing still, taking their time, that kind of thing. Give them laser guns, sensor vests and make them run around a cramped warehouse. Brilliance.
Stuck in the mud
Jamaica would clean up on this. Usain Bolt? No fair.
Pokémon GO
Five minutes, one area, catch as many as you can. Bonus points given for any particularly high level or rare Pokémon.
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