Dragzine

With much of the world following the Olympics here lately, our freelance contributor Chris McWilliams came to us and brought up a great question – Why aren’t motorsports in the Olympics today? Read his plea to the Olympic committee and then leave us a comment below with your opinion on whether motorsports should be included in the Olympics! – Editor

It is no doubt that many of us have been glued to the TV for a little over two weeks, as we cheer on the United States at the Olympics in London.  Some of the sports are action packed and keep you on the edge of your seat, then there are some sports that are hard to understand why they are even included. Motorsports are just one example of a sport that spans the globe, is enjoyed by millions of fans, but is still not a part of the Olympics.

Auto Racing Was Once In The Olympics

Auto racing actually was included in the 1900 Olympics as an exhibition sport and in the 1908 Olympics water motorsports was a medal event.  There are many arguments for why motorsports should be included in the Olympics and why they should not be included.

In a recent conversation between International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Formula One head Bernie Ecclestone, Rogge was quoted saying, “Frankly speaking, the concept we are having is the Games are about the competition for the athletes, not for equipment. Therefore, while having a lot of respect, they will not be included into the Olympic program.”

The Hole In His Argument

Rogge’s argument seems to be flawed as the Olympics is full of sports that require equipment but the participants in those sports are still considered athletes.  It’s kind of tough to win a medal in sailing or rowing without a boat, cycling without a bicycle, equestrian events without a horse, bobsledding without a sled, or shooting without a gun.  A lot of Olympics sports require extraordinary levels of hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes just like motorsports.

Here is a list of all the sports in the Summer Olympics where equipment comes in to play just as much as the competitor:

• Golf
• Equestrian
• Archery
• Canoe/ Kayak
• Cycling
• Tennis
• Shooting
• Sailing
• Rowing

One Possible Solution

The logistics of what the events would look like if motorsports were included would have to be worked out.  These Olympic events for motorsports could be individual or team events where countries select their best racers.  They could drive some sort of equally prepared race cars like the now defunct International Race Of Champions (IROC) series that could be Indy cars, stock cars, drag racing, or road racing.

I can see it now as we watch team USA and its drivers take on the best drivers the world has to offer at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.  All they have to do is get rid of some sports that nobody watches and even fewer people actually play like too many of the sports seem to be.

Do you think we will ever see motorsports in the Olympics? Could it even work in a fair and equal way? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think!