Mark Fabbro Pickleball Olympic Bid: Mark Fabbro, a sports marketing executive from Hingham, Massachusetts, is leading efforts to bring pickleball to the Olympics. In November 2023, he co-founded the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), now representing over 70 nations. The GPF recently began the process for International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition, with hopes for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Summer Games.
The initiative started far from international sports halls. In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Mike Brazis and friends formed the Roller Coaster Road Pickleball Club (RCRPC) on Lazell Street in Hingham. They played in snow, rain, and freezing cold, finding joy and connection in difficult times.
“Roller Coaster Road Pickleball Club (RCRPC) came out of dealing with life during COVID,”. “A group of us thought it might be fun to get together on Tuesday nights to play. We were outside and could keep a responsible distance.”(Mike Brazis )
From Backyard Fun to Global Vision
What began with a handful of inexperienced players quickly grew.
“None of us really knew what we were doing. I had only seen the game at my in-laws’ place down in Naples, Florida,”. “But within a month, we had about 30 people playing religiously, and it got us through those dark days of COVID.”(Mike Brazis)
Fire pits, music, and camaraderie kept the group playing through all weather.
“We had guys who couldn’t tie their shoes and multiple former All-American college athletes playing,”. “It was amazing.”(Mike Brazis)
Mark Fabbro joined the games for fun but soon realized pickleball’s unique appeal.
“I had no intent to make pickleball anything more than a weekly outlet. I just liked playing and competing with friends,”
Mark Fabbro said.
“But pickleball felt different — fun, accessible, and surprisingly addictive. I had a hunch it would take off, but none of us imagined it would become the fastest-growing sport in the world.”
Leadership and Growth
Fabbro’s background led him to join the USA Pickleball board of directors, where he worked on rules, equipment standards, officiating, and brand strategy.
“I met a couple of USA Pickleball board members and was impressed with the organization’s leadership in governing and growing the sport,
from the official rules to equipment standards and testing to officiating certification to hosting national championships,”
Mark Fabbro said.
“I wanted to leverage my professional experience in brand and business strategy and marketing to help the organization continue its growth trajectory and overall impact.”
He highlighted challenges as investment and competition increased.
“The sport has attracted significant investment and innovation over the last five years, and that has brought a level of chaos and competition,”
Mark Fabbro said.
“USA Pickleball’s role in this rapid growth is crucial. Balancing the preservation of the sport’s integrity while promoting innovation and growth is a delicate balancing act. Especially with so many companies jumping in, it is a challenge to maintain the authenticity of the game.”
A Global Federation for a Global Sport
In November 2023, Fabbro helped create the GPF, uniting national bodies worldwide.
“International sport federations are essential organizations that help to guide, govern and grow sports globally,”
Mark Fabbro said.
“Every major sport has a global governing body, and pickleball’s rapid and explosive growth warranted a strong, unifying international federation.”
The GPF works closely with USA Pickleball to provide official rules, develop officiating programs, supply equipment through grants, create learning content, and plan a Global Championships for 2026.
Olympic Ambitions in Lausanne
Fabbro and GPF leaders visited Lausanne, Switzerland, earlier this year to start the IOC recognition process.
“It was an incredible experience and an honor to represent the sport of pickleball in Lausanne, a beautiful city and the sport federation capital of the world,”
Mark Fabbro said.
“It’s home to the International Olympic Committee as well as more than 70 international federations.”
“We had several productive meetings with different organizations and businesses,”
Mark Fabbro added.
“During our session with the Lausanne Olympic Capital Foundation, we gained insight into the integrated sports ecosystem thriving in the city. It’s clear that both the GPF and pickleball itself could seamlessly fit into that framework.”
Their goal is Olympic inclusion by 2032 in Brisbane, Australia.
From Local Crew to Olympic Supporters
Brazis said the original club would be there if pickleball reached the Olympics.
“Roller Coaster Road Pickleball Club would absolutely go to the Olympics if pickleball got in,”. “We might need special visas and a security detail for us, but we would be there to support!”(Mike Brazis)
The RCRPC remains close-knit, with fond memories like their holiday ugly sweater games.
“One of my favorite memories was our holiday ugly sweater parties,”. “We had Santa, Elf, Rudolph the Reindeer and your usual cast of super ugly sweaters — all playing pickleball in the snow.”(Mike Brazis )
Fabbro reflected on the journey.
“Pickleball gave us joy when we needed it most,” he said. “Now it’s giving people around the world a sense of belonging, purpose and connection. That’s the magic of this sport.”
Asked what his 2020 self would think of today, he laughed. “He would’ve laughed,” Fabbro said.
“To go from playing in a snow-covered backyard court on Roller Coaster Road in an ugly Christmas sweater to presenting pickleball to the IOC — it’s been a wild ride.”
News in Brief: Mark Fabbro Pickleball Olympic Bid
Mark Fabbro, co-founder of the Global Pickleball Federation, is leading efforts for Olympic recognition of pickleball by 2032. Inspired by a local Massachusetts club formed during COVID-19, the sport has grown globally, with over 70 national federations now working together to expand its reach and secure its Olympic future.
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