Where to find–or learn–your favorite Olympic sport in NYC
Photo courtesy of USA Fencing
Tuning in to the Olympics can inspire us to run, sail, leap, or roll back into our favorite athletic pastimes–or discover new ones. The 2024 Summer Olympics, hosted in Paris from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 11, will feature 329 events in 32 sports, from traditional sports like tennis and track to newcomers like skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing (breaking will make its Olympic debut this year). If you’d like to get into archery, find a soccer team, or learn to surf, New York City can help you get moving. From programs run by the city’s parks to private clubs and organizations, the list below will get you started–or ready for the 2028 games!
Archery
As one of the world’s oldest sports, archery is associated with Zen-level focus and finely-honed skill. If you’d like to take up archery, look into the free classes in city parks, run by the Urban Park Rangers, or investigate the offerings at Gotham Archery.
Athletics
The Olympic category of Athletics covers 48 different men’s and women’s track and field events, from the hammer throw, hurdles, and shot put to relays, sprints, and marathons. Though the city’s running clubs are well-known, there are plenty of ways to get involved in other programs. City parks offer track and field facilities, and you can train for a triathlon or duathlon with the folks at New York Triathlon.
Badminton
This racket sport has global appeal among folks of all ages. Open seven days a week, the New York City Badminton Center includes players from all over the world, summer camps and high school programs for kids, professional training courts, and other facilities throughout the city. NYBC players participate in major tournaments in the tri-state area annually.
Basketball
This popular sport needs no introduction, and the city’s many public courts are famous for attracting players at all skill levels and fans who love to watch them play.
Boxing
Gleason’s Gym is a classic boxing gym with a rich history and a strong community of men, women, and kids of all ages.
Breaking
This urban dance style is a New York native, with roots in 1970s Bronx hip-hop culture. The men’s and women’s breaking competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will feature 16 B-boys and 16 B-girls facing off in solo battles for the first-ever Olympic-breaking medals. If you want to level up your bedroom breakdance routine, PMT House of Dance has programs that can help, with a variety of classes for adults of all levels.
Canoe/Kayak Slalom and Sprint
Olympic canoe and kayak races will include slalom races on an artificial white-water course, with the kayak cross debuting this summer. You can explore New York City’s many waterways by joining kayak and boating tours, taking lessons, or paddling solo along the New York City Water Trail. The Gowanus Dredgers also offer a unique urban take on canoeing, with tours of the Gowanus Canal.
Cycling
Cycling events at the 2024 Olympics include BMX freestyle and racing, mountain bike events, and road and track events. New York City contains 1,525 lane miles of bike lanes (as of 2022), with more on the way. But if you’re looking for a more competitive ride, several New York City organizations can get the wheels turning. The Century Road Club Association has over 800 members; the Kissena Velodrome in Queens offers racing events and programs for adults, kids, and teens.
Equestrian
Jumping, dressage, and team events bring riders to the manicured environs of the Château de Versailles. NYC has plenty of opportunities for riding, from Central Park and Prospect Park to the Manhattan Riding Club.
Fencing
Olympic fencing will include 12 fencing events for men and women. Several resources in the NYC area offer lessons, teams, events, and a community. Manhattan Fencing Center–With five fencers competing at this year’s Olympics–offers exceptional facilities, world-class coaches and dynamic programs for all ages at two locations. New York Fencing Academy of Brooklyn and Long Island is known as a center for excellence in epee fencing, with one of the strongest competitive programs in the country.
This summer, USA Fencing is introducing Fencing Across America to bring attention to the sport during the 2024 Olympic Games, with stops at Vanderbilt Hall and Wollman Rink at Central Park, offering fencing demos and learning opportunities.
Football/Soccer
The sport Americans call soccer has been a growing favorite among both fans and participants of all ages, with NYC’s first professional soccer stadium expected to be open in 2027. Local team organizations like NYC Footy, and Manhattan Soccer Club offer chances to learn, practice and play.
Golf
While it’s not hard to find a golf course just about anywhere, New York City’s own parks offer tee time without having to join a club.
Handball
During the Olympics, handball will be played on an indoor court between two teams of seven players each. A dozen teams will compete in both the women’s and men’s tournaments. As a New York City tradition, handball courts can be found in parks throughout the city.
Hockey
Though NYC may be most familiar with the form of the sport played on ice, hockey competition on an open field is a popular tradition, too. Join the fun with organizations like the North East Field Hockey Association, which organizes seasonal leagues for men and women and offers a lively community centered around the sport, and NYC Field Hockey, New York City’s only women-led pickup field hockey club.
Judo and Taekwondo
Both traditional martial arts will have a place at the Games. New York City’s expert instructors of martial arts include Kano in Chelsea and Kokushi Budo, which has been teaching Judo skills to adults and kids for more than 50 years. The unique Central Park Taekwondo is an inclusive family martial arts center on the Upper West Side.
Gymnastics
As one of the most popular Olympic events, gymnastics stars inspire mere mortals of all ages to tumble, cartwheel, and balance. Though it may offer a long list of athletic endeavors, Chelsea Piers is known for its superb gymnastics programs for adults and youngsters of all ages.
Rowing
Team rowing sports have always attracted a passionate, dedicated following. With its many waterways, New York City residents don’t have to venture far to find a crew or two. Hudson River Park offers rowing activities at Pier 40, and the volunteer-driven Harlem River Community Rowing offers all New Yorkers no-cost access to the sport–from lessons to advanced programs–in northern Manhattan. Row New York provides the opportunity to join novice rowing squads in Manhattan and Queens.
Rugby
The New York Rugby Club is the nation’s oldest rugby club, established in 1929; there are men’s and women’s teams–and a high school program, all with an emphasis on social community and strong sportsmanship.
Sailing
On a sunny day, it’s a common site to see sailboats afloat on the Hudson. Hudson River Community Sailing is a non-profit community and youth sailing organization anchored in Chelsea and Inwood, providing a diverse and vibrant community sailing center and valuable maritime education and recreation to New Yorkers.
Skateboarding
As one of the newest Olympic sports, the skateboarding event appeared for the first time at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and has quickly attracted attention and fans. The city’s many skate parks are frequently in the news for their unique cultural appeal. Go Skate offers affordable, convenient one-on-one lessons at parks throughout the city.
Climbing
Sport climbing has been growing in popularity over the last 20 years–there are more than 25 million climbers throughout the world today–attracting participants to both outdoor and indoor facilities. Brooklyn Boulders can help you reach new heights with state-of-the-art climbing facilities, instruction, and meet-ups.
Surfing
In another 2020/21 addition, surfers on shortboards will perform maneuvers and tricks that will be scored by five judges based on variety, type and difficulty. Surfers are also judged on their speed, power, and flow. NYC and its neighboring shores sustain a diverse and passionate surfing community; organizations like Locals Surf School and New York Surf School can teach you how to surf safely and at your own pace, offering camps and other programs.
Swimming
At least 35 separate Olympic events involve a splash in the pool; from competitive swimming and diving to just getting a great workout, the city’s pools excel at getting everybody in the water. City parks offer a wide range of swimming programs, the YMCA is a classic resource, and Asphalt Green tops the list when it comes to youth swim team programs.
Table Tennis
While it may not be associated with the athletic prowess of the triathlon, is one of the most popular sports in the world. Just about anyone can show off their paddle skills at a growing number of city venues–Ping Pod and Spin are the big names–that host the sport.
Tennis
While it once had a reputation as a “country club” sport, New York City became a major player in the world of tennis, hosting top international events at world-class venues. There are many opportunities to play–or learn–the game within city limits, from tennis courts at city parks to private programs like Court 16. The USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, one of the world’s largest public tennis facilities and home to the US Open is active year-round, hosting players, programs, classes, and events.
Trampoline
Two Olympic trampoline events (men’s and women’s) involve athletes rebounding over eight meters in the air to perform twists, bounces, and somersaults. If you’re looking for a place to get your bounce on, Brooklyn Zoo NY and Urban Air can help get you airborne.
Volleyball
While NYC summers may not be endless, this beachy sport can be enjoyed indoors or out. Hudson River Park hosts beach volleyball in season, and Big City Volleyball organizes adult open play throughout the year.
Water Polo
The aquatic programs at Asphalt Green include water polo, and Team New York Aquatics (TNYA) is an inclusive, LGBTQ+-friendly program that launched its water polo team in 1991 with a squad that competes locally, nationally, and internationally.
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