7. Korfball/Netball
The IOC, to their credit, are always trying to be innovative in their approach to organising each successive Olympics. What could be more innovative than the inclusion of a team game that is played with mixed-gender teams? Korfball, somewhat similar to basketball in nature, features four male and four female players on each team, in which they attempt to throw a ball in a basket, albeit without physical contact. Its inclusion in the Olympic programme could, therefore, break down yet another of the sporting worlds gender barriers. The fact that the Netherlands dominate international competition could work against its quest for inclusion in the games, however, though the USA usually walks over the Olympic basketball tournament and it remains an interesting spectacle. A slightly more popular (and similar) game is netball, which is played at the Commonwealth Games, with 60 international teams as opposed to Korfballs 54. Its popularity, however, is almost exclusive to women, which could work either for or against it, as although one of the IOCs objectives is to attract more female competitors, the game features significant amounts of standing still, given that players arent allowed to move whilst on the ball, which can be somewhat boring for spectators.