Image source, BBC/Charlie RoseImage caption, Will Pitts is “verging on confident” that the sport will return to the OlympicsArticle informationAuthor, Charlie RoseRole, BBC News, South East25 April 2024A Kent man is among a team of athletes aiming to get off-road running back as an Olympic event 100 years after it was last part of the games.Will Pitts, from Margate, joined three other UK runners on a relay from London to Paris.They aim to get trail running back onto the list of Olympic events in time for the 2032 games in Brisbane, Australia. Mr Pitts said: “The sport is booming right now and we feel that new Olympic sports should reflect the trends and popularity of modern times.”Image caption, Mr Pitts joined a relay from London to Paris in support of the campaignOff-road running, known as cross-country, was scrapped following the 1924 Olympics due to health concerns.Outdoor footwear company Merrell is backing the campaign for the sport to be redesignated, and has written to representatives of the International Olympic Committee, International Trail Running Association and the Brisbane 2032 organisers.Mr Pitts said: “We believe the time has come for trail running to be adopted at future Olympics.”‘Uphill battle’Olympic historian David Wallechinsky said it is “quite difficult” to get a new sport into the games.”You have to apply to be a recognised sport and then you have to go through all sorts of different hoops to move up until you finally can compete in the Olympics,” he said.Mr Wallechinsky said trail running was “fighting an uphill battle” as the Olympics already featured a range of sports. Mr Pitts said he was “verging on confident” that the sport would get into the Olympics.Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.Related internet links



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