Written by Pari Aryafar for the United States Muaythai Federation
Photos by Jeff Dojillo
For many, they never thought they would see the day come when Muaythai became an Olympic sport. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this summer that after several years of efforts from the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) and their affiliate sanctioning bodies, Muaythai (along with Kickboxing and Sambo) has finally been fully recognized. The time where athletes can compete in Muaythai at the Olympics has been tentatively estimated for before the end of this decade.
As stated by IFMA, it was not an easy process to get the sport to this level and took years of meticulous documentation, following specific procedures, and managing several initiatives. They share that “an international sport federation must comply with a stringent set of criteria which (in brief) include eight key themes. These themes comprise universality, popularity, governance, athlete welfare and development. Before an IF can be considered by the IOC, the sport it governs must be practised and organised in more than 50 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the federation must have an anti-doping policy which is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency; stage regular world and continental championships; be committed to youth development; and have robust and independent governance structures.”
Muaythai was initially granted provisional status in 2016, and was granted permission to be brought to the 138th International Olympic Committee General Assembly for full Olympic consideration. 146 Member National Federations came together on July 20th to celebrate Muaythai’s Olympic Recognition.