Olympics Considering Adding Ninja Warrior Competition

The Ninja Warrior reality competition may be joining the Summer Olympics.

Japanese TV network TBS, creator of the original Ninja Warrior competition, announced on Monday that the reality competition show's obstacle course will be tested for possible inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

If selected, the Ninja Warrior course will be added as the new fifth discipline of the Modern Pentathlon in the Summer Olympics. Previously, the Modern Pentathlon consisted of fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, laser pistol shooting, and running. But in May, the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) announced that an obstacle course would be tested as a replacement for the equestrian discipline.

Testing for the Ninja Warrior obstacle course will occur in Ankara, Turkey this month, and test organizers are collaborating with TBS for use of one of their obstacle courses. The course TBS is providing is currently used to film local versions of Ninja Warrior around Europe. The obstacles will include The Wall Flip, Parallel Pipes, Wind Chimes, and Tire Swing.

Olympic Pentathletes and former Ninja Warrior champions from around the world will practice on Monday, then compete as Olympic hopefuls on Tuesday.

The Japnese Ninja Warrior, titled Sasuke, premiered in 1997 before expanding globally. Today the Ninja Warrior competition airs in 160 countries, with local productions in over 20 of those countries.

American Ninja Warrior first premiered in 2009. Recent seasons of the show are available to stream on Peacock.

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Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.