Snooker’s Olympic push gets a jolt from China’s back-to-back world champions

Snooker is making a strong case for inclusion in the Olympic Games, bolstered by consecutive world champions from China. Wu Yize’s recent victory over Shaun Murphy follows Zhao Xintong’s historic win, marking a significant shift in the sport’s power from its traditional British roots to China, which boasts around 300,000 snooker clubs. Despite previous unsuccessful bids for the 2021 and 2024 Olympics, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) is optimistic about the 2032 Brisbane Games, especially given China’s growing influence in the sport. The WPBSA is also working to include snooker in the Paralympics. The sport’s expansion into new markets, like Eastern Europe, further strengthens its Olympic aspirations. Wu’s journey from China to Britain highlights the dedication required to succeed in snooker, a sport gaining global traction. QUESTION: How might the inclusion of snooker in the Olympics change the perception and popularity of the sport worldwide?