The Spanish Olympic Committee is reshaping the Spanish Olympic landscape toward Los Angeles 2028.

 

The Extraordinary General Assembly of the EOC has approved the incorporation of the Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation, the Spanish American Football Federation and Royal Spanish Squash Federation as new Olympic federations, while the Spanish Federation of Sports Dance returns to the group of non-Olympic federations after its participation in Paris 2024This decision marks a milestone in Spanish sport, opening up new opportunities and challenges for the athletes and federations involved.

 

The Extraordinary General Assembly of the COE, held on March 17, focused on the review of the sports that will be part of the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028. The inclusion of baseball, softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash in the Olympic program by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in October 2023, during its 141st Session in Mumbai, generated a deep debate and analysis within the COE.

 

One of the key points of the session was the integration of new federations into the COE. The approval of the Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation, the Spanish American Football Federation, and the Royal Spanish Squash Federation as Olympic federations represents recognition of the growth and development of these sports in Spain.

 

On the other hand, the Spanish Dance Sports Federation, which had the honor of participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been relocated among the non-Olympic federations. This decision, although likely to generate controversy, responds to the need to balance the participation of sports in the Olympic program and ensure the representation of the most established disciplines with the greatest medal potential.

 

The situation of lacrosse and cricket, two of the new sports included in the Olympic program, poses a particular challenge for the COE. The absence of recognized federations managing these sports in Spain, currently being administered by the Spanish Lacrosse Association and the Spanish Cricket Association, prevents their immediate inclusion as Olympic federations. The COE has committed to working together with these associations to promote the development and recognition of these sports in the country.

 

"We are very happy and proud to be part of the COE's Olympic federations. It is a recognition of many years of work and an impetus to continue growing," declared the president of the Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation.

 

"This is a historic day for Spanish American football. This decision motivates us to continue working hard to take our sport to the highest level," said the president of the Spanish American Football Federation.

 

"Spanish squash has taken a giant step forward. Being part of the COE will allow us to access more resources and support for our athletes," said the president of the Royal Spanish Squash Federation.