NonOlympic

NonOlympic is a term used to describe sports, disciplines, or events that are not part of the program of the Olympic Games. It is not an official IOC category, but a widely used shorthand in journalism and sports administration to distinguish activities that have organized international governing bodies and regular world championships from those included in the Olympic program at a given Games.

Status and process: Inclusion in the Olympic program is decided by the International Olympic Committee based on recommendations from international federations, with criteria such as global reach, governance, youth appeal, gender balance, and the ability to stage a reliable event at the Games. The program can change between editions; some sports have been added or removed in response to evolving priorities, while many other sports remain non-Olympic. The label non-Olympic therefore captures both currently excluded activities and those historically associated with major multi-sport events but not included in the current edition.

Impact and context: For athletes, non-Olympic status often means competition exists in separate world championships and circuits rather than the Olympic Games, affecting funding, sponsorship, and exposure. Some non-Olympic disciplines enjoy large followings and professional structures, while others may be niche. The term is useful as a descriptive label, but it does not imply a value judgment; it reflects the governance and scheduling decisions of the Olympic movement, which can change over time.