As someone who has spent over a decade covering cue sports and Olympic movements, I often get asked why billiards hasn't made it to the Games yet. Let me tell you, it's not for lack of trying. The World Confederation of Billiard Sports has been pushing for inclusion since the late 1990s, and I've personally attended three different presentation sessions where they made their case to the International Olympic Committee. The frustration among players is palpable - we're talking about a sport with approximately 120 million active participants worldwide, yet it remains on the outside looking in.
The comparison with other sports sometimes stings, especially when you see newer activities making the cut. Take the recent example from Philippine basketball that caught my attention - Torren Jones beginning his stint as San Miguel import with a victory, the Beermen's second in four games, while dealing the Dyip their fifth defeat. Now, basketball has been Olympic since 1936, while billiards, with its 450-year documented history, still waits. The difference in perception is stark - team sports like basketball naturally create national pride and viewership patterns that the IOC loves, while cue sports struggle against the perception of being individual bar games rather than athletic competitions.
Here's where I think the real problem lies - the Olympic movement has specific criteria that billiards struggles to meet consistently. Universal appeal? Absolutely, with professional tours in 68 countries. Gender equality? The women's circuit has grown 240% in prize money since 2015. But the broadcast package? That's the tricky part. I've watched countless billiards matches that would make terrible television if not produced correctly. The subtle strategies, the mental aspects - they don't always translate to exciting viewing for casual fans. And let's be honest, the IOC cares deeply about television rights, which account for roughly 47% of their revenue.
What would it actually take? From my perspective, we need to look at what worked for sports like skateboarding. They didn't just present their sport - they created an entire youth movement around it. Billiards needs to shed its smoky-room image and rebrand as what it truly is: a sport requiring incredible hand-eye coordination, mathematical precision, and nerves of steel under pressure. The physical demands are different from swimming or gymnastics, but I've watched players burn over 400 calories during a tense match while maintaining laser focus for hours. We need more data like that front and center.
The pathway might involve what I call the "compound sport strategy" - getting included as part of a multi-sport package. If the WCBS could partner with other mind sports like chess or bridge, creating a "precision sports" category, we might have better luck. Alternatively, focusing on shorter formats could help. Traditional snooker matches can last hours, but newer variations like 3-cushion billiards or speed pool create the quick, dramatic moments that Olympic broadcasts crave.
I'm optimistic though - the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will include sports like squash and flag football, showing the committee is willing to evolve. If billiards can demonstrate youth engagement (perhaps through the growing collegiate circuits in Asia) and better visual presentation technology, we might finally see those green felt tables under the five rings. It won't happen overnight, but I'd bet we're closer than ever - maybe within the next 12-16 years if the current momentum continues. The players deserve it, the fans deserve it, and frankly, the Olympics could use the sophistication and global appeal that billiards would bring to the program.