As I sit here preparing for the upcoming PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals, I can't help but reflect on how the Olympic Games represent the absolute pinnacle of what we're trying to achieve in our own sporting journeys. The Olympics aren't just another competition—they're the ultimate celebration of human athleticism, featuring an incredible diversity of sports that most people only get to witness once every four years. Having competed internationally myself, I've always been fascinated by how the International Olympic Committee categorizes and organizes these sports, creating a framework that somehow manages to include everything from archery to wrestling.

When people ask me about Olympic sports, they're often surprised to learn there are currently 32 sports in the Summer Olympics program alone, with another 7 in the Winter Games. That's not even counting the additional disciplines and events within each sport—if you tally those up, you're looking at over 300 medal events in the Summer Games. The categorization system has evolved dramatically since I first started following the Olympics back in 2008. Back then, there were just 28 sports. The IOC has since added sports like skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing—innovative additions that have genuinely transformed the Games' appeal to younger audiences. Personally, I think this evolution is brilliant, though I'll admit I was skeptical about breakdancing making its debut in Paris 2024.

The way Olympic sports are categorized actually follows a pretty logical system, though it can seem confusing at first glance. There are core sports that have been around forever—athletics and aquatics being the obvious examples—and then there are optional sports that come and go based on popularity and global relevance. What many don't realize is that being included in the Olympics can make or break a sport's global development. I've seen firsthand how Olympic inclusion transforms funding, participation rates, and media coverage for lesser-known sports. Take my own sport of volleyball—since becoming an Olympic sport in 1964, its global footprint has expanded exponentially, with current estimates suggesting over 800 million people play volleyball worldwide.

Water sports alone account for five distinct categories in the Olympics, which might surprise people who think of swimming as the main aquatic event. You've got swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and marathon swimming—each requiring completely different skill sets. I've always had particular respect for water polo players—their combination of endurance, strength, and tactical awareness is unlike anything else in the Olympics. Meanwhile, combat sports include everything from boxing to judo to taekwondo, each with their unique scoring systems and cultural backgrounds. I'll never forget watching the Philippine's first Olympic gold medal win through weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo—that moment perfectly illustrated how Olympic sports can elevate entire nations.

The Winter Olympics present their own fascinating categorization system, with sports divided into ice sports, alpine skiing and snowboarding, and Nordic events. Having tried snowboarding myself during an offseason training camp, I gained immense respect for these athletes—the coordination and courage required is on another level entirely. The IOC's recent push to include more mixed-gender events has been particularly interesting to watch unfold. We're seeing more sports like mixed team relays in athletics and swimming, which I believe adds an exciting strategic layer to the competition.

What many casual viewers don't appreciate is the rigorous process sports must undergo to gain Olympic status. The IOC evaluates global participation, television ratings, anti-doping programs, and governance structures before even considering inclusion. This is why sports like squash—which I personally love—have struggled to make the cut despite worldwide participation. The current cap of 10,500 athletes across all sports means tough decisions must be made about what stays and what goes. I've spoken with officials who describe these selection meetings as incredibly intense, with sports federations lobbying hard for their inclusion.

Looking ahead to the Paris 2024 Games, we're seeing interesting trends in how sports are categorized and presented. The addition of breaking (breakdancing) has generated both excitement and skepticism, while sports like skateboarding and sport climbing are being given permanent status after their successful debuts in Tokyo. From my perspective, this evolution is essential—the Olympics must remain relevant to younger generations while preserving the traditions that make the Games special. The balance isn't always perfect, but I appreciate the IOC's willingness to innovate.

As our Petro Gazz team prepares for our own competitive challenges in the PVL semifinals, I often think about how our sport fits into this broader Olympic context. Volleyball's inclusion has undoubtedly raised the profile of our game globally, and the Olympic tournament remains the standard against which all other competitions are measured. The beauty of the Olympic categorization system is how it manages to honor sporting traditions while gradually incorporating new disciplines that reflect changing global interests. Having competed at various levels throughout my career, I can confidently say that the Olympic stage represents something truly unique in the sporting world—a celebration of human potential across an astonishing range of physical disciplines. The categorization system might seem like dry administrative work, but it's actually what allows this incredible diversity of sports to coexist under one banner, creating the magical tapestry that captivates billions every four years.