Lacrosse 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. The organizing committee received international suggestions for handball, basketball, pelota, canoeing and glíma wrestling. In the end, the proposal by the Canadian NOC to stage a lacrosse competition was taken up.

Lacrosse, which has its origins in a Native American game and is considered Canada’s national summer sport (ice hockey being the national winter sport), had been held as an official medal sport twice before, in 1904 and 1908. It would return to the Olympics as a demonstration in 1932 and 1948 as well, but would never regain its full-medal status. The Federation of International Lacrosse is a member of SportAccord and (since 2013), the World Games Association, but it is not currently recognized by the IOC.