Korfball at the 1928 Summer Olympics

The IOC allowed for two demonstration sports to be held at the 1928 Olympics. One of these was reserved for a national sport, specific to the host nation, but unknown internationally, and one for an international sport, but unknown in the host nation. Korfball, which was already demonstrated at the 1920 Olympics, was elected as the “national” demonstration sport, in part because Dutch IOC member Frederik, Baron van Tuyll van Serooskerken (who passed away in 1924) had promised to select the sport. Kaatsen, however, was picked as an unofficial second national demonstration. As a tribute, the korfball players participated in a brief memorial prior to their demonstration match at the Van Tuyll monument outside of the stadium.

In 1993, korfball would be officially recognized by the IOC, and it has been part of the World Games - a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports - since 1985. It is unlikely to be upgraded to Olympic medal status, as the sport is still primarily played in the Netherlands and, to a lesser extent, Belgium.