Ultimate Frisbee recognised by the International Olympic Committee
It’ll be Quidditch next
Jack CummingsUltimate Frisbee has officially been recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee.
In a victory for people who throw plastic rings around a field for fun, sporting top dogs granted full recognition to The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) which represents a number of ring related sports, which until now were only big at uni.
This includes Ultimate Frisbee and the slightly more exotic Beach Ultimate Frisbee.
Manchester PhD student Oliver Gray playing frisbee for Great Britain
The WFDF said it was “honoured and humbled” by the International Olympic Committee’s choice.
They added: “This is an incredible milestone in the 30-year history of WFDF.
“Today’s decision will give a further boost to our efforts to increasing the presence of Flying Disc sports in all countries and on all continents.”
The announcement was made at an International Olympic Committee session in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Ultimate Frisbee originated in the 1960s in the United States, and now disc sports are played in 62 countries around the world.
It is a non-contact sport involving two teams of seven players.
The game doesn’t even bother using referees, but instead relies on sportsmanship to negotiate all of the rule breaches and procedures.
WFDF guidelines explain: “Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play.”
A number of students make up the national Ultimate Frisbee squad
Manchester Cognitive Neuroscience PhD student and PR for the uni Ultimate Frisbee team Oliver Gray told The Tab: “Full recognition of Ultimate Frisbee by the IOC means a great deal both for Manchester University Ultimate and the wider community in Manchester.
“Such an great increase in the presence of Ultimate in the country and the world will further increase participation at the grass roots of university Ultimate and improve the standing of British Ultimate in the world.
“The society will aim to use the new recognition to increase its presence at the university and its recruitment of new players.
“We will be looking for both social players and athletes that can be shaped to strengthen the current contingent of national and international competitors at the University of Manchester.”