International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has informed sports leaders that any events removed from the 2032 Brisbane Olympics may return in later editions. This assurance follows warnings that the Brisbane program will be smaller than the 36 sports scheduled for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Reducing the 36-Sport Ceiling to Lower Venue Costs

The International Olympic Committee is moving to streamline the 2032 Brisbane Olympics to avoid the financial burden of building single-purpose facilities. According to the Associated Press, President Kirsty Coventry explained that cost and complexity spike when the IOC adds additional venues for events that serve only one purpose. Consequently,the Brisbane program is expected to feature fewer than the 36 sports and 353 medal events planned for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

This shift represents a reversal of a decade-long expansion trend. As reported by the AP, the Olympic program grew from 26 sports during the 2012 London Olympics to the current 36-sport model. Ingmar de Vos, the president of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), acknowledged that the program has grown too much and must return to a more proportionate level to remain sustainable for host cities.

Why Modern Pentathlon and Slalom Canoeing Face the Axe

Certain disciplines are more vulnerable to these cuts due to their specific infrastructure requirements or declining popularity. The modern pentathlon has long been viewed as a candidate for removal, while slalom canoeing is highlighted as a risk because it requires a highly specialized venue that increases costs for the host city of Brisbane.

Newer additions to the Olympic roster are also in a precarious position. Sports added to the Los Angeles 2028 program—specifically squash, lacrosse, and flag football—will have to compete for their place in the 2032 Brisbane lineup. kirsty Coventry has emphasized that while the goal is not to destroy any sport, the IOC must prioritize efficiency to ensure the Games remain viable.

The Battle Over the $590 Million Paris Revenue Share

While the IOC focuses on cutting costs, sports federations are focused on their share of the profits. Members of ASOIF are currently seeking a more sustainable model for how the billions of dollars in revenue from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will be distributed among the participating sports.

The financial stakes are significant, as the IOC paid out $590 million from the Paris Olympics revenues. This figure represented a 9% increase over the $540 million distributed following the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. ASOIF president Ingmar de Vos has called for a model that better recognizes the value and labor provided by the member federations.

Qatar's Ambitions and the Paused 2036 Bid Process

Beyond the 2032 Games, the IOC is managing a complex geopolitical landscape for the 2036 Olympics. President Kirsty Coventry paused the bid process for the 2036 Games last year, marking her first major executive decision. This pause comes as Qatar emerges as a strong contender, with expectations that the 2036 project may be split across the Middle East region.

This regional approach to the 2036 Games mirrors the IOC's desire to reduce the burden on a single host city. However, the region remains a point of tension due to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, adding a layer of political volatility to the selection process.

What the June 24 Lausanne Meeting Must Resolve

The path toward a finalized Brisbane program depends on a critical IOC membership meeting scheduled for June 24 in Lausanne. This meeting is intended to establish the formal process for evaluating which sports and events will be cut or retained for the 2032 Games.

Despite the upcoming meeeting,several specifics remain unknown. The IOC has not yet released specific target numbers for the total number of sports or medal events for Brisbane, and it remains unclear which specific criteria will be used to decide between competing sports. While a list of sports may be confirmed by December, the detailed medal event calendar will not be finalized until 2029.