100 million people can't be wrong – the Olympics should welcome tenpin bowling

Since officially being recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as the governing body of bowling, in 1979, the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ), has been lobbying hard to push tenpin bowling into the Olympic Games. However, the sport still finds itself on the fringes.

A sport boasting 100 million participants, 10 million competitors and 250,000 bowling lanes worldwide, has only featured once on the world stage – as a demonstration sport at Seoul in 1988.

Tenpin bowling appeals to a wide range of the population, however, it has become particularly popular as a disability sport. One of the key reasons for its popularity is because it is, above all, a simple game.

Although tenpin bowling is officially recognised as a Paralympic discipline and features at numerous disability Games around the world, it has never featured at Paralympic Games level. But why is this?

Steffi Klein, from the International Paralympic Association, said: “Sports or disciplines which are not on the Olympic programme, will not be considered for inclusion on the Paralympic programme unless it is considered to be a special or distinctive sport for athletes with a disability.”

However, many disability organisations from around the world argue that it is! Advances in technology, such as ramps, lane glances (barriers) and computerised scoring, have made the sport much more competitive, enjoyable and easy to play for bowlers with a range of disabilities.

Matt Witter, a disability bowler from USA, said: “Bowling has become my life and helped me to forget about my disability. The sport has helped me to make friends, build my self-confidence, and boosted my faith. I also discovered I was good at it.”

However, for the seemingly unknown third member of the Olympic family, the Special Olympics, tenpin bowling boasts a long and illustrious history.

Tenpin bowling is one of the fastest growing Special Olympic sports and although there are some modifications made for athletes with physical disabilities, most participants compete under the same rules and circumstances as athletes on the professional tour.

The Special Olympics was founded in 1968 as a series of organised summer camps for people with learning disabilities. Since then, the movement has evolved worldwide, with 2,256,733 athletes competing in 30 Olympic-type sports.

Bowling is the second biggest sport in the Special Olympics, with only track and field having more participants. It was introduced in 1975, debuting at the World Games level in 1987 and is now a fundamental part of the Summer Games programme. When tenpin bowling was first introduced at Indianapolis just 33 athletes competed. By 2005, that figure had risen to 200,572 competing in the Special Olympic bowling events.

Bowling teams are grouped in divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

Tenpin bowling last featured at the 12th instalment of the Special Olympics World Games, which were held in Shanghai, China, last October. With the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games set to follow later this year, China will become the first country in history to host all three Games within the space of 12 months.

Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) was established in 1978 and has nearly 8,000 athletes who participate in local sports programmes, and regional, national and international competitions. For the World Games SOGB comprised 16 squads, including, aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, judo, kayaking, power-lifting, sailing, table tennis, tenpin bowling and tennis.
 
The team returned home with a total of 224 medals following two successful weeks in Shanghai, carrying 84 gold, 83 silver and 57 bronze medals, the largest haul ever recorded by GB athletes.
 
Lawrie McMenemy, SOGB chairman, said, “I am immensely proud of our athletes’ achievements … they have showcased their abilities and talents on a world stage, proving that they deserve just as many accolades as other world-class athletes.”

The GB bowling squad for the World Games consisted of Sarah Anderson, Lucy Collins, Anthony Randals and John Smeeting, however, the team unfortunately just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the team event.

The most notable singles achievement in the tenpin bowling competition was recorded by 24-year-old Collins, who claimed a silver medal in the female singles competition.

Athens, the spiritual home of sport and the birthplace of the modern Olympics, will now prepare to host the 2011 Special Olympic World Games following the 2009 Winter Games set to be held in Boise, Idaho, USA.