Paintball in the Olympics?

[Slider3]

I'm going to try to start a club at UVM (I'll be a freshman). I just hope that they will give us some sort of support... I doubt there would be much funding in the first year. I do think that after the club expands, and im sure it will, the school may consider supporting us... I hope. By the time I'm an upperclassman, I believe there is hope that UVM can be atteding some tournements. I guess only time will tell.

I certainly agree that if paintball made it too the olympics, public view would change, and college leagues would begin to solidify and become much more organized. Although if paintball as a sport would need some sort of Infrastructure/Govorning body before it can be accepted into the olypics, that sort of organization in all leagues, including college, should happen before the olympics become a reality for paintball.

Overall I personally believe that paintball can make into the olympics... Maybe not 2008, but by 2012, the possibility is extremely high. It all depends on how seriously the Olympic comitee examines the sport. If they are any good at their jobs they should be able to begin at a neutral standpoint and see paintball for what it is, and not the common stereotypes....


.... I've though about this a few times as you can see. I could keep going, but I'm sure not many people would read it if it gets to long. Its nice to see some other people looking at olympic possibilities.

[IMADORK]

For the College kids that want to start a club or team at their school pretty much all you need to do is get a staff member (preferablly someone somewhat high in ranking) to sponser you. Not sponser as in give you money but as in support your cause and look over things. It might seem hard but there are a few really cool professors that might join in on the cause especially the younger ones.

As to the person saying Olympic Athelets are just that "athelets" and are well conditioned, I really don't see how atheletic you need to be for the Archery or Shotting compitions and you certainly can medal in those. Pretty much that's all paintball is going to be. Archery/Shooting combined with tactics. So I would disagree with your comment based upon that.

Attention wise, if it did make the Olympics I do think it would hit big. Mainly because not many outside the sport know the concepts and it would be exciting, fun, and new for them.

[paullus99]

While I would love to see paintball in the Olympics (unlike things like "walking" & "trampoline", and even synchronized diving!!!), I doubt the IOC would vote it in due to its "military background."

Even tourney ball is too much like actual combat, and since the Olympics are supposed to be about peace & brotherhood of man type stuff, I would doubt that a majority of the voting members would be for its inclusion (especially since they can include things like skateboarding & other X-Game type events and capture the same demographic).

Sad but true.....

[Automaggin2]

For the College kids that want to start a club or team at their school pretty much all you need to do is get a staff member (preferablly someone somewhat high in ranking) to sponser you. Not sponser as in give you money but as in support your cause and look over things. It might seem hard but there are a few really cool professors that might join in on the cause especially the younger ones.

As to the person saying Olympic Athelets are just that "athelets" and are well conditioned, I really don't see how atheletic you need to be for the Archery or Shotting compitions and you certainly can medal in those. Pretty much that's all paintball is going to be. Archery/Shooting combined with tactics. So I would disagree with your comment based upon that.

Attention wise, if it did make the Olympics I do think it would hit big. Mainly because not many outside the sport know the concepts and it would be exciting, fun, and new for them.

Its definatly not easy to start a team. First you have to find a qualified facultly member. You don't just want to pick up a random faculty member that doesn't know jack about paintball. After that, depending on the school, you have to get all types of approvals, petitions, and other forms filled out. It definatly takes some time.

[viperx1_1000]

Your telling me that the olympics, where all countries drop their weapons and come to peacefully compete will come to the olympics to play war-games. I don't think so.

[Automaggin2]

Your telling me that the olympics, where all countries drop their weapons and come to peacefully compete will come to the olympics to play war-games. I don't think so.

Paintball is slowly moving away from that image.

[BradAGD]

Two words why paintball won't be in the Olympics...drug testing.

Now, I'm not saying every player is a drug nut but they test for everything. A gymnist last year was stripped of her medel because she had cold medicine in her system. You think players aren't going to go partying while they are out and about? I don't see any player not having a drink or dozen while they are in Athens. And some drugs are in your system for a month after you stop taking them.

Remember at the last winter Olympics when the US snowboarder was threatened with his medal because he tested positive for weed...and he didnt' even smoke it, just in the same room as someone who did.

Maybe we can get into the Xgames but i don't see us getting into the Olympics.

sorry, just my opinion

[felony]

As to the person saying Olympic Athelets are just that "athelets" and are well conditioned, I really don't see how atheletic you need to be for the Archery or Shotting compitions and you certainly can medal in those. Pretty much that's all paintball is going to be. Archery/Shooting combined with tactics. So I would disagree with your comment based upon that.

You are entitled to your opinion as am I.

But archery is not a new thing. Neither is paintball, but Im guessing if you check the books, archery goes way back..

But I totally agree with BradAGD. Drug testing would kill us. Our image would kill us.

Xgames here we come..we got a shot there

[BradAGD]

Shooting and Archery do take some athletic skill. Try holding a 15 lb rifle to your shoulder for 50 shots. There's alot of mental prep too with those sports. I'll give those guys credit...now bowling? Any sport you get better at while being drunk...

[RetroEclipseMan]

While I would love to see paintball in the Olympics (unlike things like "walking" & "trampoline", and even synchronized diving!!!), I doubt the IOC would vote it in due to its "military background."

Even tourney ball is too much like actual combat, and since the Olympics are supposed to be about peace & brotherhood of man type stuff, I would doubt that a majority of the voting members would be for its inclusion (especially since they can include things like skateboarding & other X-Game type events and capture the same demographic).

Sad but true.....

Umm, isn't wrestling, boxing, judo, kendo, ect all olypic sports??? And aren't those still based on some form of combat I mean boxing is way more violent than paintball. I think if the image of paintball was cleaned up a bit we'd have a chance, but that's only going to happen if we get some kind of goverining body to step in a take some control.

edit: forgot to mention, skateboarding's image wasn't all that great a few years ago and now look at it, it's going to be an olypic sport. Like I said earlier, if we can get some positive exposure then I think it's possible and I think to start the x-games are what it's going to take.

[IMADORK]

Shooting and Archery do take some athletic skill. Try holding a 15 lb rifle to your shoulder for 50 shots.

OK then if you feel you need to be atheletic to shoot that's cool, but you cannot deny that you need no atheletic ability at all for Equestrion (Horse Back Riding). I mean come on you sit on a horse and make different clicking noises with your mouth to tell a TRAINED horse (probably not even trained by the rider) what to do. Equestrion is not a sport at all. At best one may say it's an art form.

And seriosuly if they make a high school gym game like Handball an Olympic sport why not Paintball? And don't give me that drug testing crap cause seriously if you had the oppertunity to go I think you would stop using. OR better yet I am sure there are some really good players out there that are smart enough not to use in the first place.

[1ofkind]

I was talking about this with a ref and he said the biggest problem is all the cheaters. So I'm thinking its gona be mech autocockers only.

[Battlewear]

OK then if you feel you need to be atheletic to shoot that's cool, but you cannot deny that you need no atheletic ability at all for Equestrion (Horse Back Riding). I mean come on you sit on a horse and make different clicking noises with your mouth to tell a TRAINED horse (probably not even trained by the rider) what to do. Equestrion is not a sport at all. At best one may say it's an art form.

And seriosuly if they make a high school gym game like Handball an Olympic sport why not Paintball? And don't give me that drug testing crap cause seriously if you had the oppertunity to go I think you would stop using. OR better yet I am sure there are some really good players out there that are smart enough not to use in the first place.

I totally agree about the drug testing..

You know what, I play, dont use drugs and hardly drink (maybe 1 or 2 beers every 6 months).. Why? I dont need those things to be me.. I enjoy going and having a good time just like any one else.. I think there are a lot of players out there that would either stop using or not even use.. If you get Paintball in the O you will see new kids coming along that might just not use because they want to be there too..

As for being Atheletic to play? Oh I say it helps but I sure as heck hope that some of us BIG BOYS can get into the game too!! I would hate to see a large number of players left out just because they dont have a 6 pack and can run the space between bunkers in 3 seconds. Maybe it takes 4 and they would get shot, but who is to say they will need to until that time comes right?

Overall, I would love to see Paintball in the big O.. But hey, until then, I look forward to see every one out on the field, to be on either team would be a great honor!

[Battlewear]

I was talking about this with a ref and he said the biggest problem is all the cheaters. So I'm thinking its gona be mech autocockers only.

Now this is what I see as being one of the worst parts for us..

Yes cheating is big in our sport, but again, what sport is it not??? Dont all sports have to deal with stuff like that? Sure they do, but because they have been at that level (NFL, NBA, NHL, Etc.) that the refs are trained and trained well on what to look for and what to do..

I have a friend who was a umpire for baseball here.. He spent 7 years training as a umpire and finally had the chance to umpire a major level tourney..

Is that what our sport needs? A Umpire/Referee federation to help bring some legitimacy to our sport? I think it would certainly help.. I agree that we need some one like the NPPL to step up to a World wide level or a new group to come along for this and once a new players federation comes along to help all over the world they can work hand in hand with a Referee federation to develope a list of rules.. I am sure that the rules are almost the same in every country.

I am sure we can all agree that paintball has a following and would be enjoyed in the big O, but maybe we need to show the Big O we are ready to come over and play in their back yard?

Just my 2 Canadian cents.

[paullus99]

I think the IOC (pretty much real old guys) would have a problem sanctioning an event where the competitors "shoot" at each other. In today's climate, with the threat of terrorism (and the perceptions there-of) I don't think you'll see any kind of gun-type combat allowed.

Not that things can't change, but until you get a younger generation get into the IOC leadership positions, Paintball is probably not on the table. X-Games, its a shoe-in, but the Olympics is going to judge the sport by the public's perception - which still is that paintball is a "war-game."