Sports Programme

The official Olympic sports in the sports programme of the XXVth Olympiad gradually increased in number from 23 to 25, as sports such as baseball and badminton were recognised as official. In addition, three demonstration sports were included for the last time in the history of the Olympic Games. These were Basque pelota, roller hockey and taekwondo.

As set out in the Olympic Charter, the respective international federations were responsible for the technical organisation of the competitions. With the federations’ agreement, and often at the proposal of the organisers, efforts were made to enhance the sports modalities to make them more attractive to the public and better suited to being broadcast on television. Certain aspects of the rules were modified in some instances. Thus, electronic monitoring enhancements were incorporated into modalities such as boxing and gymnastics to overcome waiting times while the judges deliberated. In the cases of table tennis and judo, for example, some of the colours of the competition elements were changed to enhance the quality of the television images.

The importance and challenge of balancing the competition schedule meant that time factors had to be taken into account to ensure that they were wholly beneficial to the show. Also taken into account were environmental factors such as the heat, and the suitability of timetables for broadcasts. In total, 36 sports facilities were used, 19 in Barcelona and 17 in the sub-host cities.