Why are DH or Enduro not Olympic sports?

The arrival of the Olympic Games always reopens the debate about the sports that should be part of the biggest sporting event on the planet. Although the list is constantly updated and cycling is present in five different modalities, neither DH nor Enduro are considered Olympic disciplines.

The place of DH and Enduro in the Olympic Games: why are these disciplines out of Paris 2024?

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will attract the attention of billions of viewers from around the world. It is a major event with astronomical figures both in investment and diffusion. In summary, these days there are 329 gold medals at stake, contested by 10,500 athletes in 51 Olympic disciplines and belonging to 206 delegations. The 33rd edition of the modern Games will include breakdance for the first time as a sign that the list of sports is dynamic and constantly under review.

Cycling is an inherent part of the Olympic Games. In fact, both road and track events were part of the first edition of the modern era in Athens 1896. A century later, MTB debuted in Atlanta 1996, while BMX did the same in Beijing 2008 -BMX freestyle arrives this year for the first time after its debut at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires-.

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However, neither DH nor Enduro are included in the Olympic program of Paris 2024. Although they lack the following of other competitions that are much more powerful in the media, the truth is that in the Olympic Games it is common to find sports with limited impact.

One of the main problems cited for not including these two modalities is that the Olympic Games are usually held in large cities that do not usually have nearby mountains to hold DH or Enduro events. Thus, while for XCO it is enough to find a hill like Elancourt -where the Paris 2024 circuit is located-, for these other disciplines a much larger, rugged mountain massif with longer paths is needed.

However, this argument has little value, as it is common for some Olympic venues to be outside the main city. For example, in Paris with surfing, which takes place in Teahupo'o (Tahiti, French Polynesia).

Another reason could be the increase in financial and logistical costs for the hosts. Both events would require a lot of economic resources, although it is hard to think that they could pose a serious problem for a budget as large as the one managed in the organization of the Olympic Games.

On the other hand, the list of sports vying for an Olympic spot is large, so the interest in making DH and Enduro Olympic disciplines clashes with the bottleneck of the equation; many requests and few concessions.

The most compelling argument is that it is quite likely that the inclusion of DH or Enduro would lead to sacrificing other cycling disciplines. Both road, track, and MTB events seem untouchable. The historical baggage of the first two makes the operation difficult. Track cycling awards many medals and, if forced to choose, it could be the discipline selected to do away with a test.

The ease of hosting competitions on a velodrome track and the weight of history work against DH and Enduro, although in the medium to long term there could be an opportunity.

Other less compelling arguments could be, on the one hand, that the IOC usually takes time to incorporate sports into the Olympic portfolio. Although this thought is quite ingrained, the truth is that in recent times they have made controversial and risky decisions, such as the arrival of skateboarding, breakdance, surfing, or BMX.

On the other hand, it also seemed at one point that DH could not enter the Olympic scene because the differences between bikes could lead to a technological advantage. However, over the years, the balance has been restored and now, with a slower pace of innovation, brands have reached a similar level.

For all these reasons, it seems difficult to see DH or Enduro as part of the Olympic Games in the near future. The purist fan may think, moreover, that it is positive that they remain outside the Olympic bubble to maintain the essence and the niche.

For many others, entering the showcase of the Olympic Games would be a unique opportunity to showcase the sport and a great opportunity to enjoy the best riders on dream circuits, as could have been done in the vicinity of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio 2016, on Mount Fuji in Tokyo 2020, or in the Alps in Paris 2024.