Windhoek: Robert Rauch, president of the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), emphasized the crucial role that Olympic Games revenue plays in the growth of international federations, particularly for emerging sports that require more substantial support from the Olympic movement.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Rauch discussed these concerns during the three-day IF Forum organized by SportAccord, which concluded on Wednesday. The forum is an annual gathering of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), international federations, and selected partners to address significant issues in the sports world. The event's 2026 edition is scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Rauch highlighted that for many international federations, 60 to 70 percent or more of their overall revenue is derived from Olympic revenue. He noted that this financial dependency presents a challenge and suggested revisiting the current program structure to reduce such heavy reliance. Additionally, he pointed out the demographic shift in viewership, with the age range moving into the mid-50s, which is less appealing for advertisers, indicating a need for strategic changes.
The IOC allocates Olympic revenue through the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), categorizing sports into six tiers based on their contribution to ticket sales and television appeal. The total revenue from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics reached 540.29 million U.S. dollars, with World Athletics receiving the largest share at 39.48 million dollars. In contrast, sports like modern pentathlon, rugby, and golf received the smallest portions at 12.98 million dollars each.
Rauch expressed concern over the vested interest of sports already in the Olympic program in maintaining their status, as losing Olympic access would significantly impact their revenue streams. He recalled the challenges faced by the federations when the Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the IOC asserting that cancellation was not an option, as it would have jeopardized the survival of many federations.
WFDF, recognized by the IOC in 2013, continues its efforts to be included in future Olympic programs. Rauch mentioned ongoing discussions with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic organizers, including a recent meeting where they reviewed the evaluation criteria for potential sports. Although flying disc has yet to be included in the Olympics, it has been part of the World Games since 2001.
Rauch concluded by noting the Olympic Games' trend towards compact formats to attract potential audiences, aligning with WFDF's vision for the sport's future.