The World Strongman International Union, under the leadership of Vladimir Burdun and supported by the Emirates Sports Group, is making an ambitious move to bring strongman competitions to the Olympic Games.

The organisation has initiated the process of applying for recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking a historic first for the sport in the Middle East.

Strongman competitions, which test athletes’ strength, speed, and endurance, could soon join the ranks of Olympic disciplines. However, this journey is far from easy. As Burdun himself stated, “People think that to become an Olympic sport is an easy story, but no, it’s a very difficult story.” This remark captures the long road ahead, but the potential reward is significant, with strongman poised to gain worldwide recognition and support.

Vladimir Burdun, President of the World Strongman Union and CEO of Emirates Sports Group, made an important visit to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris to promote strongman’s Olympic aspirations. Burdun’s goal during the visit was clear: “We are trying to be a clean sport and to be named as the strongest men of the world,” he said, emphasising the sport’s focus on integrity and fair competition. According to Burdun, the IOC has already given positive feedback, signaling that strongman’s journey toward Olympic inclusion is officially underway.

“You have to convince a lot of people that this kind of sport is clean”

However, Burdun acknowledges that getting the sport into the Olympics will be challenging. “You have to convince a lot of people that this kind of sport is clean…and many people are performing in it,” he explained. This means meeting IOC requirements, growing the sport globally, and maintaining a clean, drug-free competition environment.

What Makes Strongman Unique?

Strongman competitions are unlike any other sport. Athletes compete in events such as the Atlas Stones, Farmers Walk, Deadlift (Axle), Dumbbell Lift, Yoke Carry, and Sandbag Carry, with weights ranging from 70 kg to over 180 kg. The events test not only the athletes’ strength but also their speed, endurance, and mental toughness. Men and women compete in different weight classes to ensure fair and exciting competition.

“one of the hardest sports worldwide in terms of mental and physical skills.”

As Burdun explains, strongman is “one of the hardest sports worldwide in terms of mental and physical skills.” Athletes not only have to be powerful but also need precision and endurance to complete the events. The demand for both physical strength and mental resilience sets strongman apart from many other sports.

The World Strongman Union has already made great strides in growing the sport’s global presence. In March 2024, Dubai hosted the World Strongman Championship, bringing together athletes from over 40 countries. This event attracted significant international attention and laid the groundwork for the sport’s expansion. Dubai is quickly becoming a central hub for strongman, with plans for the city to host the event annually, further solidifying its place on the strongman map.

However, the journey to the Olympics presents several challenges, particularly when it comes to keeping the sport drug-free. Burdun admits that maintaining clean competition in a sport focused on raw strength is difficult. “The biggest challenge we are facing is being a clean athlete,” he says. The temptation for athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs is strong, especially when they see others lifting enormous weights with unnatural assistance. To combat this, the Union works closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), ensuring regular testing and strict anti-doping measures.

“The sport’s history is being challenged,” Burdun notes, acknowledging the difficulty of ensuring that athletes remain clean while pushing their bodies to the limit. Despite these hurdles, the World Strongman Union remains committed to clean competition, knowing that a drug-free environment is essential for earning Olympic recognition.

What’s Next for Strongman?

While there’s no clear timeline for strongman’s inclusion in the Olympics, Burdun is optimistic about the future. “We hope that for the next five or six years we can become part of the Olympic family,” he said. However, Burdun understands that there are no guarantees, explaining, “In the Olympic family, there is no prediction.” The Union must continue to meet IOC standards while growing the sport’s presence globally.

Part of this growth includes establishing strongman federations in over 100 countries, creating national teams, and organising more competitions worldwide. Burdun emphasises that achieving Olympic status would bring essential support to the sport, saying, “If you become an Olympic sport, you start to be known from the ministries of sports, and in many countries, it starts to be supported financially.” This financial backing would enable the sport to grow further, allowing more athletes to compete at higher levels and in more countries.

“We all have a dream, and our dream is to one day be an Olympic sport.”

The World Strongman Union’s pursuit of Olympic inclusion marks a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. With its blend of strength, speed, and endurance, strongman has the potential to become a thrilling addition to the Olympic Games. As Vladimir Burdun aptly put it, “We all have a dream, and our dream is to one day be an Olympic sport.”

While challenges remain, the Union’s dedication to promoting clean competition, expanding the sport globally, and meeting the IOC’s high standards makes strongman’s Olympic dream more realistic than ever.