
World Strongman President Pushes for Olympic Recognition at IF Forum 2024
In a move that could redefine the landscape of strength sports, Vladimir Burdun, President of the World Strongman International Union and CEO of Emirates Sports Group, attended the IF Forum 2024 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Representing the Middle Eastโs growing influence in global sports, Burdun participated at the invitation of the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS), marking a historic step for the Strongman community.
The IF Forum, held at the iconic Olympic Museum from October 22nd to 24th, provided a unique platform for Burdun to advocate for the inclusion of Strongman in the Olympic Games. For the first time, an effort driven by the UAE is aiming to bring Strongman to the Olympic stage, an ambition with significant implications for the sport’s future.
Burdun spoke had this to say about the campaign:
“Participation in the IF Forum 2024 is not only an opportunity for us to present Strongman as a fully-fledged international sport but also an important platform to strengthen ties with leading sports organisations worldwide. We believe that Strongman can take its rightful place among the Olympic sports, and this meeting brings us closer to that goal.”
Through the Emirates Sports Group, Burdun and his team are actively working on the formal Olympic recognition process, which, if successful, would place Strongman among the most prestigious athletic disciplines in the world. For Strongman athletes, enthusiasts, and supporters, this is a landmark development, highlighting the UAEโs commitment to pushing strength sports to new heights globally.
This campaign could pave the way for a new era in the Strongman world, elevating the sport from its grassroots and international competition circuits to the global Olympic stage.
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