The Philippines will soon have more potential medal producers in the Olympics as the International Olympic Committee on Friday accepted the proposal by its Executive Board to give full recognition to six new international sport federations.
According to Olympic.com, the official website of the IOC, “there were no objections from the member federations of any of the IF associations” when the board passed the resolution.
The International Federations in the sport of cheerleading, muaythai, sambo, icetocksport, kickboxing and lacrosse have attained the first step to becoming part of the Olympic roster.
“After the provisional recognition period, these IFs demonstrated that they fulfilled all the requested criteria. Their statutes, practice and activities conform with the Olympic Charter, and they have adopted and implemented the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions,” said the statement in the Olympic.org.
Their recognition is expected to be formalized when the IFs meet in an IOC Session in Tokyo ahead of the Olympic Games set July 23 to August 8.
With this development, the Philippines looks forward to having three more combat sports—muaythai, kickboxing and sambo—as potential sources of medals, aside from boxing, which has contributed five of 10 medals for the country in the history of the Olympics.
“Our Olympic dream (for the sport) will now be possible, the podium underneath the 5 rings symbolizing unity among nations, together with the country's pride will be a reality for the sport,” said Samahang Kickboxing ng PIlipinas secretary-general Wharton Chan.
“We are another step for our generation's success, although we have a lot more work to do. However, this is a huge milestone for this incredible sport (of kickboxing)," he added.
Although kickboxing is a relatively new member of the Philippine Olympic Committee and just made its debut in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, it has a deep-seethed roots in the country as a combat discipline.
In its first foray in the SEA Games, kickboxing contributed 3 golds, 2 silvers, and a bronze to the Philippines’ successful campaign.
The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, which has been a provisional member of IOC since 2018, said it’s a historic day for the sport of kickboxing,
“This is a huge inspiration and acceptance of our sport worldwide. To be fully included and accepted in the Olympic movement is important for the recognition and the possibilities this means locally for our national federations,” said WAKO president Roy Baker.