"Health becomes an Olympic sport?" 'Hyrox,' which has drawn 1.5 million participants worldwide, targets the 2032 Games

*This content was translated by AI.

Could the day come when health becomes an official Olympic sport? The new sport 'Hyrox,' which combines running and fitness training, is aiming for Olympic inclusion with explosive growth momentum.

Reuters reported on the 18th (Korea time) that "Hyrox's popularity has skyrocketed," noting that while only about 650 people participated in the first event, it has now grown into a global sport with over 1 million participants worldwide.

It further highlighted that "it is now looking toward the Olympic stage."

In simple terms, Hyrox is a 'race combining running and fitness.' Participants run 1 kilometer, then perform a designated fitness exercise. They then run another kilometer and take on a different workout, repeating this process through a total of eight segments.

Ultimately, each competition requires running a total of 8 kilometers while completing eight fitness exercises. The structure demands not only running ability but also strength and endurance to achieve good results.

Hyrox was developed in 2017 by Christian Tietz and Moritz Fürste. Reuters introduced Fürste as "a person who won gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics as a member of the German national hockey team."

Unlike some sports that require mastering complex techniques, Hyrox is composed of relatively easy-to-learn movements, which is also cited as a factor in its popularity. It can be easily challenged not only by elite athletes but also by general fitness enthusiasts who enjoy running and working out.

Thanks to this, the growth rate is at Seoul levels. Reuters emphasized that "the alternating format of running and exercising, easy-to-learn movements, competitive elements, and community culture have combined to gain widespread popularity from elite athletes to ordinary exercise lovers."

It further reported that "organizers see virtually no limits to its growth potential."

Deepak Raji, Hyrox's India head, stated that "by any point this year, the total number of people participating in our events reaches approximately 1.5 million."

He added that "currently, events are being held in more than 35 countries and over 100 cities," explaining that "the scale of participants at each event continues to grow."

There are still many regions, including Korea, where the name 'Hyrox' itself is unfamiliar. However, Raji confidently pointed out that this very fact demonstrates future growth potential.

He emphasized that "there are many gyms where people have never tried Hyrox before, and in some countries, there are even those who have never heard of Hyrox," stating that "in such a situation, it is difficult to set an upper limit on growth."

With explosive growth momentum behind it, Hyrox's next focus is the Olympics.

This is not merely a simple wish. World Triathlon has approved this year's Hyrox-style competition format under the name 'Hyraclon.'

While inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics seems difficult, Hyrox officials are targeting official adoption for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics or the 2036 Games.

Raji said, "At the World Championships held early this year in Stockholm, athletes representing 101 countries participated. Hyrox has now become a global sport, and competition standards have been established."

He further stated that "the 2028 Olympics is definitely a bit early since this sport has not yet fully taken root in many regions and countries," but added, "However, 2032 and 2036 are the path we want to take and our goals."

World-class athletes are also emerging. American long-distance runner Lisa McElheny became the 2026 Hyrox World Champion.

McElheny said, "There are still a few years left. For the dream of the Olympics to become reality, more standardization work for the sport is needed."

At the same time, she expressed optimism by stating, "I think Hyrox fits the Olympics very well," noting that "there is currently no sport in the sports world with exactly this form."

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*This content was translated by AI.