I used the South Sudan as a example because Sudan don’t have an Olympic Committee and was at the time still not officially recognised by the UN when he tried to enter the olympics, Hence the athlete could not compete for South Sudan so had to compete under the Olympic Flag. Check it out. 

Its a massively wider debate about the Iroquois Confederacy as a sovereign nation, and very messy one at that. Tribal sovereignty in the United State and Canada is a big issue with Indigenous people. Would the IOC want to get into that mess politically? But I am in total agreement the Iroquois should apply for recognition and the wider Lacrosse community and the FIL should assist their case should we ever be accepted.However to be apply for recognition you must be a part of the Olympic Movement you need to be accepted into the OM before you can set up an Olympic Committee (The reason I used South Sudan as an example as you can use the UN membership instead).

Point 2/Point 3

Your points about Gymnastics and Basketball are correct, but they are still largely the same sport (Visually). The rules on the whole are the same. I was thinking more down the lines of Field Hockey as an example.

Lacrosse on the whole has two separate sets of rules? Same goals and ball, but the game still differs greatly as outsider looking in.

Now, I am in total agreement, what would you rather watch Equestrian Dressage or Lacrosse? – no brainer.

Joe Bloggs from Bogota is going to be asking allot of questions when he sees the differences in our sport, hence that’s why the IOC  has criteria in place to select sports which will be well received by the general public, all over the globe. (Section 26 Olympic Charter) Ive had that chat with FIL board members in the past.

Please don’t read this and think that I am anti-olympics, because I am not. I am just realistic and frustrated that our sport has almost been split down the middle in the past, where the men’s game has evolved now the womens game (internationally) is playing catch-up. They still play with with out dated rules and regulations which were in the mens rule book in the 60′s and 70′s. 

Thankfully we now have the FIL a unified organisation. And we are taking steps toward becoming an olympic sport we are now part of the SportAccord and we are due to have a place at the 2017 World Games in Poland so lets hope!.

I also don’t believe the argument flies that “Hey, GB does it, so should the Iroquois!” They are two different situations, and using one as the sole basis for the other conflates the issue.

As for rules needing the be the exact same for men and women… ALSO false! Gymanstics, and diving both immediately jump out as having different rules, and if you look at the men’s soccer rules, they can only have three players over 23 on their team. Different rules again. And in basketball, the women use a smaller ball.

The last of your points, about cost being prohibitive was really good, but your first three points all seem to be pretty false, and easily proven to be so.

Would love to see a response or some citation of where you found this info!
Thanks for commenting!

I totally agree with some of the people commenting on this thread, Team GB compete as one nation, why cant Iroquois/USA or Iroquois/Canada? Yes they created the game and if our sport is ever a Olympic sport we need to ensure that the Iroquois heritage is highlighted i.e. Tobacco Burning Ceremony etc.. But they should put aside their sovereignty issues and compete and show the world how Lacrosse should really be played.The wider issue is the RULES. The IOC wont look at a sport which is basically two separate games (men’s and women’s) we would have to see wide scale reforms in the womens game in order for our sport to even enter the radar screens of the selecting committee.My third point is selection by each participant nations olympic association. Why would (and I am not being harsh here) Latvia spend thousands on sending a team to the olympics with no chance of a medal of any colour? Lacrosse is an expensive sport to fund you have 23 guys plus a coaching staff of ~8 and then equipment for one medal. Then you have sports like Swimming or Track and Field where you have a chance of winning multiple medals with a couple of athletes.We need to start getting realistic, I would love to represent my nation at an Olympic Games but we are a LONG way off.

Sovereign status is a very real issue. More so than in Scotland or N. Ireland? I could not even begin to say… so this makes me think that each situation must be addressed individually… but you raise an amazing point. Thanks!

As for 2) GREAT question! See below for an interchange between Derek Blasutti and I and chime in with your thoughts. Super interested by that rabbit hole.

What about from the US? Have you done any outreach to US players of Portugese descent?

Maybe we can help you promote and spread the sport and Grow The Game in Portugal. It would be our pleasure!