FRC to be at the 2020 Olympics?

[Abhishek R]

Read here on Forbes earlier today.

"FIRST recently announced a partnership with Toyota, and Kamen said he’s working with the company to make sure FIRST has a place at the 2020 Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo. Toyota is the largest single sponsor of the event."

Has anyone heard anything more about this? Sounds really exciting, even if it doesn't actually become an Olympic sport - can you imagine having Einstein in Tokyo? Would be great for the internationalization of FRC.

[Electronica1]

So, would there be two Olympics then?

[FrisbeeFunTime]

Originally Posted by Electronica1

So, would there be two Olympics then?

Woah, boulders fired.

[Dragonking]

At least then Einstein would be close to water. You know, in case for whatever reason we needed lots of water.

Water Game 2020!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[waialua359]

Rumor has it that some Robotics teams have already started planning on being at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

[barn34]

Originally Posted by waialua359

Rumor has it that some Robotics teams have already started planning on being at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Ya know, I kinda figured this was the case already. Represent us well, Glenn, as always!

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by Abhishek R

Has anyone heard anything more about this? Sounds really exciting, even if it doesn't actually become an Olympic sport - can you imagine having Einstein in Tokyo? Would be great for the internationalization of FRC.

FRC as an olympic sport would be epic! Though, the "athletes" would all be minor and their career wouldn't be long... What about each country chooses a school to represent them at the olympic games?

[Abhishek R]

Originally Posted by EDesbiens

FRC as an olympic sport would be epic! Though, the "athletes" would all be minor and their career wouldn't be long... What about each country chooses a school to represent them at the olympic games?

Yeah, would be interesting to see how that works. I think FRC would have to grow exponentially in countries outside of North America should it be nation based like other Olympic sports - there really isn't enough representation right now.

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by Abhishek R

Yeah, would be interesting to see how that works. I think FRC would have to grow exponentially in countries outside of North America should it be nation based like other Olympic sports - there really isn't enough representation right now.

True... Though it keeps growing and we still have 4 years to make it!
I'm trying to imagin how olympic FRC teams would be strong (or not)... They would get more sponsors, the best possible members and they would be trained and drilled to perform. Maybe we just shouldn't go there finally... Maybe it'll just destroy the spirit of FIRST.

[BobbyVanNess]

Originally Posted by EDesbiens

I'm trying to imagin how olympic FRC teams would be strong (or not)... They would get more sponsors, the best possible members and they would be trained and drilled to perform. Maybe we just shouldn't go there finally... Maybe it'll just destroy the spirit of FIRST.

When a highschool sports team watches their world finals (ie. teams composed of the best possible members and trained to perform), does it serve as a detriment or an inspiration? I'm inclined to believe that it reminds us that there is always room for improvement and reason for the passion and dedication needed to reach the top.

It's also worth mentioning that an olympic team might not be too far beyond some of the current best FRC teams in terms of performance.

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by bobby5150

When a highschool sports team watches their world finals (ie. teams composed of the best possible members and trained to perform), does it serve as a detriment or an inspiration? I'm inclined to believe that it reminds us that there is always room for improvement and reason for the passion and dedication needed to reach the top.

It's also worth mentioning that an olympic team might not be too far beyond some of the current best FRC teams in terms of performance.

What about cooperation? I don't think those top notch teams would talk that much to each other...

[Cory]

You guys don't really think FRC could/should be an Olympic sport right?

As someone who loves the Olympics more than almost any other sporting event... if that somehow happened (in some alternate reality) I would be very unamused.

[EDesbiens]

I'd like FRC to be counted like a kind of E-sport... Or maybe something with the same visibility...

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by Cory

You guys don't really think FRC could/should be an Olympic sport right?

As someone who loves the Olympics more than almost any other sporting event... if that somehow happened I would be very unamused.

I personally don't.

I also do not think robotics should be even remotely considered a sport.

So guess I do not exactly hold the popular opinions here.

In all reality an exhibition would be cool. But FRC as an real Olympic sport. Please no. That would be degrading to real Olympic sports where athletes dedicate their whole lives to being successful.

[Basel A]

Is this conversation actually happening right now? Here's a few of the sports proposed for the 2020 Olympics but were not selected: sumo, squash, American football, racquetball, and bowling.