Northern Ireland

World GAA unveils plans to include Gaelic games in the Olympics

There are hopes for Gaelic football, hurling and camogie to be included at future Olympic Games
There are hopes for Gaelic football, hurling and camogie to be included at future Olympic Games (Getty Images)
By Suzanne McGonagle

There are hopes that Gaelic football, hurling and camogie can be included at future Olympic Games.

World GAA is seeking to have its sports introduced to the Games in a bid to increase the sport’s international reputation.

It announced the plans in recent days, ahead of the GAA’s Annual Congress in Newry over the weekend.

In its first-ever strategic plan for the next three years, World GAA said they will initially attempt to earn recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The GAA will seek to have its sports feature in future Olympic Games
The GAA will seek to have its sports feature in future Olympic Games (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Their plan charts a direction for the growing seven international units and 475 clubs across World GAA.

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“In terms of the GAA’s aspiration to be recognised as an Olympic sport, it’s important to focus on achieving recognition by organizations like AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sports), getting recognized by the IOC, and ultimately achieving Olympic qualification status,” it said.

“Once Olympic recognition is attained, the GAA can then reassess its goals and aspirations accordingly.

“It is important to acknowledge that this process is likely to take time and success is not guaranteed.

“Nonetheless, taking the first steps towards this goal is crucial for the GAA.”

The plan includes objectives to help realise the GAA’s vision as a sustainable community-based and volunteer-led organisation.

It also features goals and strategies for the development of Gaelic Games around the world and aims to strengthen the global reach and impact of the GAA.

World GAA hopes that AIMS recognition can be achieved by 2026. Gaelic football and hurling previously made a brief appearance in the 1904 Olympics.

Liam O’Neill, former GAA president, said the plan aims to spread the GAA’s “feeling of belonging” across the world.

He told RTÉ's Newstalk programme that “this is a game that stands on its own, not just because it’s Irish, but because it’s a great game,” he said.

“When you have clubs from Mayo to Moscow and all the way across Europe, it’s just unbelievable.

“It’s not going to happen overnight, there has to be recognition by the Olympic Committee and when you get that, then you can take it to the next step.”