Buakaw Banchamek will make an appearance in the Muay Thai demonstrations in the Paris Olympics. GETTY IMAGES

Muay Thai will be included as a demonstration sport at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) confirmed on Thursday in a press conference in Bangkok.

During the Games, Muay Thai will feature in the side programme at the Olympic Park where attendees can engage with the sport. A dedicated Muay Thai workshop will be hosted at the Boxing House in the Olympic Park for five days, with 5-6 August serving as the focal points. The specially constructed Muay Thai stadium at Club France will showcase two full days of action-packed bouts, with 10 hours of matches daily, featuring athletes from 24 countries.

IFMA has also orchestrated a virtual demonstration featuring Muay Thai boxers to highlight the sport's essence and intricacies. Alongside the bouts, performances of traditional Muay Thai pipe and drums, and Wai Khru rituals will allow spectators to immerse in the rich cultural heritage of the sport. 



Two-time K-1 World MAX champion Buakaw Banchamek will attend the event and participate in the Wai Khru ceremony.

This initiative aims to familiarise officials from diverse nations with the origins and significance of Muay Thai, marking a pivotal step towards potential future inclusion in the Summer Olympics.