2016 Olympics Awarded to Rio de Janeiro – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Anybody?

“Tonight I have the honour to announce that the Games of the 31st Olympiad
are awarded to the city of Rio de Janeiro,” IOC President Jacques Rogge said.

My heartfelt congratulations go out to the people of Brazil in general and the
citizens of Rio de Janeiro in specific.

When I think of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, what immediately comes to my mind:

Pele and artistic Brazilian soccer football, Copacabana, super-model Gisele Buendchen,
the famous song “The girl from Ipanema”, churrasco, Carnival in Rio, and …

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, of course.

The Gracie familiy members have done herculean work in laying the foundation
and together with their Machado cousins spreading the now immensely successful
and, just ask any of their opponents, very effective martial art.

BJJ founder Helio Gracie must have a really big smile on his face right now!

So, the Olympic Games 2016 have been awarded to the mesmerizing metropolis
of Rio de Janeiro and that leads me to the following question:

Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu become an Olympic discipline ?

And why not?

Just look back at the Olympics 1964 in Tokyo when Judo became an official
discipline and has stayed one ever since!

Or how about the Korean martial art of Taekwondo that first was a demo sport
during the 1988 Olympic Games of Seoul, Korea and then just 12 years later
officially became an Olympic discipline in 2000 during the Sydney, Australia games.

By the way, this recognition came less than 50 years after Taekwondo was first
officially introduced to the world.

Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu do the same?

Tell me what you think!

Check out some great books on BJJ, too:

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Tags: American Kenpo, American Kenpo Karate, BJJ, Boxing, Brazil, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Cung Le, Frank Shamrock, full contact, Gina Carano, girls fight, Gracie, grappling, judo, karate, kenpo, kick-boxing, Machado, Martial Arts, MMA, Olympic Games, Olympics, Renzo Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Rio de Janeiro, Royce Gracie, Royler Gracie, Self defense, submission grappling, Taekwondo, UFC, Ultimate Fighting, Urijah Faber, weapons, women's self defense

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Renzo Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Royce Gracie, Royler Gracie, submission grappling

2 Comments to 2016 Olympics Awarded to Rio de Janeiro – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Anybody?

Liam
October 21, 2009

Oh it would be so sweet!!

Cool blog mate!

Tiger
October 21, 2009

Thanks for writing in.
It could happen, even though Judo is already represented. Why not?!
BJJ has made a major contribution to martial arts in such a relatively short time.
Stay tuned and keep on rolling, my friend.