Lacrosse, Indigenous Peoples, and the Olympics – Sportification or Sportization?

Abstract (English)

Lacrosse, a traditional North Native American stickball game, has spread to various parts of the world since the second half of the 19th century. Through the process of sportization/sportification (Elias & Dunning 1986; Eichberg 2010; Delsahut 2015), lacrosse became a formal sport, institutionally sanctioned by World Lacrosse (WL), formerly the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). World Lacrosse is the only international sports organization that recognizes the representation of Indigenous peoples. The Haudenosaunee Nationals, formerly known as the Iroquois Nationals, became a member in 1988—following decades of bans on Haudenosaunee participation in international sports competitions. Lacrosse made its Olympic debut at the 1904 St. Louis Games, where a Haudenosaunee team competed. It was also included in the 1908 Olympics, though without an Indigenous team, and later featured as a demonstration sport in 1928, 1932, and 1948. World Lacrosse was granted provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2018, and in 2023, the IOC confirmed lacrosse's return to the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. However, it remains uncertain whether the Haudenosaunee—who originated the game—will be allowed to participate. This paper will analyze what the inclusion or exclusion of the Haudenosaunee Nationals might signify within the frameworks of sportification and sportization.