The International Olympic Committee (IOC) endorsed full recognition of World Lacrosse for men’s and women’s lacrosse, an important step forward in the sport’s journey to becoming included in the Olympics.
There is no timeline for when a vote to determine if World Lacrosse will be granted full recognition will happen, though it could come as soon as next month before the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
If World Lacrosse is provided full recognition, it would guarantee the organization’s status in the Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF), and it would keep World Lacrosse eligible for monetary aide through the IOC Development Program. World Lacrosse would also have access to IOC meetings, educational seminars, publications and more. It would not immediately make lacrosse an Olympic sport.
“While today’s decision by the IOC Executive Board represents yet another important milestone for World Lacrosse, we will not rest or stand still,” World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr said in a statement. “This is a catalyst that will drive and shape our efforts to continue expanding opportunities for participation in lacrosse and improving our capabilities as an international federation.”
In November 2018, the IOC granted World Lacrosse (known as the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) at the time) provisional recognition, then in November 2020, the IOC Sports Department began an in-depth review of the lacrosse governing body.
“I can’t think of a more significant milestone in the sport’s history,” Steve Stenersen, CEO of US Lacrosse and vice president of the FIL, said in 2018 when the IOC offered the FIL provisional recognition. “IOC recognition will strengthen the profile of lacrosse in all FIL member countries and propel the sport to greater expansion throughout the world.”
Lacrosse has been in the Olympics before – it first appeared in 1904 in St. Louis and was a medal sport in 1904 and 1908. It was then played as a demonstration sport in 1928, 1932, and 1948.
This move continues lacrosse down the path to meet the goal set by World Lacrosse: the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Games.
Now for the other lacrosse news for the week of June 8-14, 2021.
Last Week in Lacrosse
Gary Gait was officially introduced as the next men’s lacrosse head coach at Syracuse, moving from the same position for the school’s women’s lacrosse program to replace John Desko, who retired last week.
Chris Hogan made his PLL debut, officially returning to the lacrosse field with Cannons LC in a thrilling 15-14 overtime defeat to Whipsnakes LC on Saturday.
The PLL waiver wire re-opened Tuesday, and Chrome, Cannons, and Waterdogs made some immediate additions: Chrome added undrafted rookie midfielder Kevin Rogers and attackman Tommy Palasek, Cannons brought in attackman Brendan Sunday, and SSDM Matt Whitcher became the newest member of the Waterdogs.
Nick Ossello of the Redwoods announced his retirement from playing professional lacrosse.
Cannons released attackman Bryce Wasserman, who was the 2020 MLL MVP and went undrafted in the 2021 PLL Entry Draft.
After taking a crosscheck to the head from Reece Eddy in Waterdogs’ game against Cannons on June 6, Michael Sowers was taken to the hospital and stayed overnight. He did not play last weekend.
Archers joined Whipsnakes as the only other undefeated team in the PLL, improving to 2-0 with a 12-8 triumph over Chaos on Sunday.
Get Caught Up on LAS Content!
Miss out on what we did last week? Here’s a recap of some of our top content from the last seven days.
Olympic Committee Executive Board Recommends Lacrosse
Check out the release sent out by World Lacrosse announcing its recent big news.
2021 DII/DIII Men’s Lacrosse Season in Review
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Coach MCLA Lacrosse: Check Out These Openings
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3 Best Lacrosse Heads I’ve Ever Used
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Scott Burnam Is More Than a Lacrosse Player
Scott Burnam (Cornell ’91) is an accomplished lacrosse player, but he’s much more than that (like a movie star, for example). Learn more about him and his story.
