The Frontball World Championships open this Sunday in Mexico. The competition will bring together approximately 150 players from 35 countries in Itzapalapa, near Mexico City, until November 15th. All five continents will be represented. The event is particularly anticipated as the International Federation of Basque Pelota (FIPV) has just officially submitted its application to be included in the program for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. A perfect opportunity to gain recognition.
An "exceptional" dynamic
Born fifteen years ago, frontball has a slightly longer history than competitors like flag football, karate, or squash, which have already been admitted to the Olympic program. It can, however, draw on the presence of Basque pelota at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires as an introductory sport – like baseball/softball, freestyle roller skating, or slacklining. It is a more frequent guest at the Pan American Games. First included in 1995 in Mar del Plata, its inclusion has fluctuated ever since: absent from Winnipeg (1999), back in the Dominican Republic (2003), again left out in Rio (2007), invited to Guadalajara (2011), and once more excluded from Toronto (2015). It returned to Lima (2019), was retained in Santiago (2023) and has already been confirmed in the program for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games.
« Since its first official appearance at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, frontball has continued to strengthen its international presence " insists the president of the FIPV, Xavier Cazaubon, in the letter addressed to Brisbane 2032. "Driven by this exceptional momentum, the FIPV firmly believes that frontball deserves a place in the Brisbane 2032 program." " he continued, referring to the third edition of the World Championships, bringing together 35 nations from five continents and ensuring total parity in all events "Australia is one of the countries that will be represented throughout the week."
Netflix, PlayStation and TikTok
Xavier Cazaubon believes that frontball embodies the spirit of openness, simplicity and accessibility that define the modern Olympic Movement He is convinced of it: À Through its universality, simplicity, gender equality and alignment with the principles of inclusion and innovation, frontball would contribute to the richness and modernity of the Games. "The FIPV also highlighted the youth appeal. It has a video game, Frontball Planet, available on PS4 and PS5. It hopes that this third-person game will be included in the first eSports Olympics, the date of which remains uncertain."
A Netflix documentary is currently being filmed: titled PioneersHe will recount the journey of Mexican players on the frontball scene. The sport also finds an audience on social media: some videos of Mexican Michelle Hernandez have well over a million views on TikTok. Frontball has become a universal and inclusive sport., adds Jean-Michel Idiart, vice-president of the International Federation, on LinkedIn. Today, it is a real source of pride to see this adventure reach a new stage: 68 countries, three world championships, a presence at the Youth Olympics, the Pan American Games… and soon, perhaps, on the biggest sporting stage in the world. "The FIPV has proposed to meet with the organizing committee in Brisbane in December."
