New sports at 2020 Olympics

[gotosy]

IOC to approve '20 additions next year

TOKYO -- The final decision on which new sports will be added to the program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics won't be made until August 2016 -- a year later than originally planned.

Wrapping up a two-day meeting in the Japanese capital, IOC Vice President John Coates said the inclusion of new sports will be voted on at the IOC session in Rio de Janeiro on the eve of the 2016 Games.

"While we were thinking originally the additional events timetable could be completed in July (2015), that is too ambitious," Coates said. "In the interest of transparency, that is too tight a timetable."

Baseball and softball, dropped after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, are considered favorites to return in 2020 because of their popularity in Japan and the existence of first-rate facilities.

Under the IOC's "Olympic Agenda 2020" reforms approved in December, host cities can propose the inclusion of one or more events for their games.

Several other sports are also lobbying for a spot on the Tokyo program. They include squash, karate, roller sports, skateboarding, surfing, wushu, rock climbing, and billiards and snooker.

Coates said by the end of this April, assessment criteria of each proposed new sport will be prepared. Tokyo organizers will then have time to examine the material before proposing which additional events they wish to add by September of this year.

"The whole world is looking at this process, not just the people of Japan," Coates said. "Many sports are interested and this is going to be a very transparent process."

Tokyo organizers recently formed an "additional event program panel" to study the proposed new sports. The panel will hold its first meeting next week.

"Tokyo has its wish list and the timeline is fine for us," Tokyo organizing chief Yoshiro Mori said. "We have already consulted with a number of (sports) federations."

Coates stressed that future Olympic sports events "must be attractive to youth."

"Universality and gender equality are key in selecting new sports or events but the IOC will also consider an up and coming sport that is gaining in popularity especially with youth," Coates said.

Coates was in Tokyo as head of an IOC "project review" of the city's Olympic preparations.

During the meetings, Tokyo organizers brought the IOC up to date on several proposed venue changes, which are aimed at saving money and avoiding white elephants.

The IOC reforms could allow Tokyo organizers to alter their initial plan of having the majority of venues located within an 8-kilometer (5-mile) radius of the Olympic Village -- one of the key components of the city's bid for the games.

Mori said organizers plan to propose that an existing equestrian facility in the middle of Tokyo -- which was used for the 1964 Olympics -- will be used instead of a new facility. Mori also said organizers are considering holding the cycling events at an existing facility in Izu, which is about a one-hour train ride from Tokyo.

Tokyo also plans to build a permanent gymnastics venue rather than a temporary one, Mori said.

AP

http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/12282776/additional-sports-2020-tokyo-olympic-games-approved-august-2016

[baron-pierreIV]

I nominate Ikebana Tea Ceremony competition (and males can compete -- but only in geisha drag!)

[gotosy]

Fukushima, site of nuclear disaster, wants to host 2020 Olympic baseball

Fukushima, the site of 2011 nuclear plant meltdowns caused by an earthquake and tsunami, hopes to host preliminary baseball and softball games for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, according to Agence France-Presse.

“We are still in the process of recovery from the disaster, and it would be a dream to have world-class athletes play here,” said Fukushima city official Hiroaki Kuwajima, according to AFP.

The Fukushima meltdowns were a cause of concern as Tokyo bid for the 2020 Olympics in 2013. It won an International Olympic Committee vote over Istanbul and Madrid and will host its second Games, 56 years after its first.

In the 2013 question-and-answer session with IOC members, Tokyo organizers were asked about a leak of radiation-contaminated water at the Fukushima nuclear plant. At the time, it marked the fifth and largest leak from the plant damaged by the 2011 tsunami.

There were concerns over possible radiation effects, but Kuwajima cited “harmful rumors,” and Fukushima hopes athletes will eat the local food, according to AFP.

“Fukushima has suffered a lot of financial damage caused by misinformation,” Kuwajima said, according to AFP. “We would like to be able to sweep away those harmful rumors.”

Baseball and softball were last contested at the Olympics in 2008. In 2013, they lost a vote to be re-added to the Olympics for 2020 and 2024, but they could still be added for the 2020 Olympics, if the host of Tokyo submits a proposal that is approved.

Baseball and softball were traditionally held at one or two venues when part of the Olympic program, and Fukushima is 155 miles north of Tokyo.

The then-Fukushima Governor said in June that he hoped the 2020 Olympic torch relay would go through Fukushima.

http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/03/fukushima-olympics-baseball-2020-tokyo-softball/

[LatinXTC]

Yea, no. Whether it is safe or not I don't see athletes jumping at the chance to anywhere near that area, nor should they be forced to.

[baron-pierreIV]

Only the "walking" races should start in Fukushima ...and walk away from there as FAST AS POSSIBLE!!

[gotosy]

Wushu to bid again for Olympic spot

(Reuters) - Wushu will bid again for inclusion in the Olympics and is banking on increased participation in Africa and the Americas to aid their chances after previously missing out to wrestling.

"We have to undertake another bidding process," International Wushu Federation (IWUF) executive vice president Anthony Goh was quoted as saying by The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Goh said the Chinese martial art, which features regularly in Asian multi-sports events like the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games, needed to expand its reach.

He said Wushu would feature at the All-African Games in August and at the 2019 Pan American Games, which caters for 41 countries and territories in north, central and south America.

"We need to develop regions where Wushu is less developed. We have to feature more often in multi-international games, like the African Games and the Pan American Games."

Wushu was among eight sports competing for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics but missed out on the International Olympic Committee's shortlist of three, with wrestling edging out squash and baseball/softball in September for a place at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.

Wushu could still feature at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, however, after the IOC overhauled a number of rules in a December vote to allow sports an easier avenue into future Olympics.

Tokyo Games organisers can officially request the inclusion of one or more sports with the IOC deciding which makes the cut.

In January, billiards and snooker launched a surprise move to take part in the Tokyo Games. Baseball and softball are the favourites for inclusion, however, given the sport's popularity in Japan, while karate is also thought to be a front runner.

IOC Vice President John Coates said last month a decision on which sports had been shortlisted would come before the Rio de Janeiro Games next year.

"I can't tell you whether one, two, three, four, whatever number of events will be recommended," he said.

Reuters

[intoronto]

Wushu will not be at the Pan Am Games!

[zekekelso]

Sure, Tokyo *could* ask for Wushu to be included in the games. About as likely as them asking for "mock atomic bomb droping" to be included.

[ofan]

Just no, no no. There are already plenty of similarities between the current combat sports on the programme.

[baron-pierreIV]

Probably not going to happen. And I think Tokyo will get baseball/softball back since those are genuinely more popular in Nippon.

[zekekelso]

Probably not going to happen. And I think Tokyo will get baseball/softball back since those are genuinely more popular in Nippon.

I see why you and Tony get along so well.

[gotosy]

Tokyo 2020 organizers lay down extra event stipulations

Events to be added to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be chosen from sports whose international federations (IFs) are recognized by the IOC and are currently not included in the Summer Games, the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee announced on Monday.

There are about 30 IFs eligible to be candidates, according to organizing committee officials.

The organizing committee will allow all candidates to apply for additional sports events at the Tokyo Games. The application requirement will be established in consultation with the IOC, and made available to the IFs.

The assessment criteria for the additional events will be decided at the IOC Executive Board Meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on June 7-8. Then the organizing committee will then announce the IFs that will advance to the hearing by the organizing committee.

“We could have picked the IFs for the hearing by ourselves, but the bottom line is that we would like it to be crystal clear and fair to every IF,” said Toshiro Muto, director general/CEO of the committee. “We decided to give the chance to apply to the IFs.”

After the hearings, the organizing committee will decide the sports events and propose those events to the IOC in September. The IOC will make the final decision next year, right before the Rio Olympics start.

Yukihiko Nunomura, senior executive board member/COO of the organizing committee, said it is too early to mention what points should be emphasized during the hearings or how many sports events the committee will pick up for the proposal.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/04/27/olympics/tokyo-2020-organizers-lay-down-extra-event-stipulations/#.VT5xASFViko

[gotosy]

Table tennis try to persuade Bach to add fifth Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020

Thomas Weikert, President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has met with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Lausanne to discuss ways in which the two organisations can work together to achieve common goals, including the addition of an extra gold medal for the sport.

One of the main suggestions raised at the meeting was the possible addition of a mixed doubles or mixed team event at Tokyo 2020.

Currently four table tennis events take place at the Olympics, men’s and women’s singles, as well as men’s and women’s team events.

Weikert is keen for a fifth table tennis event to be added and claimed he was encouraged by the talks with the IOC President.

“We have tried in the past to get the mixed doubles or mixed teams in the table tennis Olympic program,” Weikert said.

“My conversations with President Bach were positive, so we hope that we will have a fifth table tennis gold medal added by Tokyo 2020.”

Mixed doubles has not featured as part of the Games since table tennis first appeared on the Olympic programme at Seoul 1988, however the discipline remains part of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships.

Men’s and women’s doubles events were replaced by two team competitions at Beijing 2008, although they still feature as part of those medal events.

...

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1027302/table-tennis-try-to-persuade-bach-to-add-fifth-olympic-gold-medal-at-tokyo-2020

[gotosy]

Olympic programme evaluation criteria for Tokyo 2020 approved

This morning the EB also approved the evaluation criteria for review and analysis of any proposal from Tokyo 2020 for the inclusion of one or more additional events on the Olympic programme.

Recommendation 10 of Olympic Agenda 2020 allows Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) to make a proposal for the inclusion of one or more additional events on the Olympic programme for that edition of the Olympic Games.

The list of criteria was developed to support the EB in making its recommendation and the IOC Session in making its decision. The criteria were derived from an original set of 74 criteria that were approved by the IOC Session in 2011 and used to evaluate the 2020 sports programme in 2013. With the approval of Olympic Agenda 2020, an analysis was conducted by the IOC Sports Department to streamline the process for host cities developing criteria for new sports. These criteria are meant to serve as a guide for OCOGs, and cover five main themes: Olympic proposal, value added to the Olympic Games, institutional matters, popularity, and business model. Click here for the full 35 criteria.

Last month, Tokyo organisers opened the application process for additional event(s) to be included at the Olympic Games in 2020. Tokyo’s final choice of events to be proposed to the IOC will be made by 30 September 2015. The final decision on which new event will feature in the Olympic programme of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be made by the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016.

IOC

http://www.olympic.org/news/new-events-to-boost-female-participation-youth-appeal-for-pyeongchang-2018/246262

[gotosy]

WBSC submits application for Baseball, Softball inclusion at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

11 June 2015

By WBSC;@WBSC​

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The president of the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Riccardo Fraccari, today announced that the world governing body has submitted an official proposal to the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (TOCOG) for the addition of men’s baseball and women’s softball at the 2020 Games.

“It is an honour for the World Baseball Softball Confederation to submit the application to Tokyo 2020 organisers,” said President Fraccari, “and on behalf of baseball and softball, I would like to fully thank and recognise IOC President Thomas Bach for his Olympic Agenda 2020 vision, which has created this exciting new process for new sports-events, like baseball and softball, to be considered for the world’s biggest sports stage, the Olympic Games.”

The Tokyo 2020 Additional Event Programme Panel will evaluate the proposals from IOC-recognised non-Olympic international sports federations, with Tokyo 2020 set to announce a shortlist on 22 June.The WBSC is hoping to highlight that adding baseball and softball to the 2020 Games in Japan – where the bat-and-ball sport is embedded in the society across both genders – will serve to optimise fan, youth and overall engagement, helping to captivate the entire Olympic host nation of Japan and audiences worldwide. Baseball and softball are played by an estimated 65 million athletes in over 140 countries and attract approximately 150 million fans annually to stadiums worldwide.

“Adding baseball and softball – a major global team sport and highly popular in Japan – can help further position the Olympic Games as the centre of the sporting and cultural universe – providing the athletes, organisers and viewers with an electrifying Games-time synergy and atmosphere,” President Fraccari said.

“Baseball and softball at the Tokyo 2020 Games can help spread Olympic values with the entire nation of Japan and those around the world – and give inspiration to be at the Olympic Games and to be an Olympian – providing another key pathway for TOCOG and the Olympic Movement to connect directly with millions of people worldwide, particularly younger generations, women and our sport’s loyal fans,” said President Fraccari.

With a number of existing world-class baseball and softball facilities in Tokyo and across Japan, and with Olympic Agenda 2020 as a guiding light, the 2020 Olympic baseball and softball business model would have a negligible impact on both construction costs and the environment, while helping to drive greater ticket sales, media interest and viewership – making for a low-risk, high-reward option for TOCOG and the Olympic Movement.

“This synergy would be a cost-effective way – reflecting Olympic Agenda 2020 – to help shine a bigger spotlight on the athletes and the Tokyo 2020 Games, while potentially generating a bigger return for the Olympic brand and sponsors. This can lead to a wonderful and sustainable legacy for the future, inspired by Olympic Agenda 2020 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

WBSC leadership considers the proposal a real milestone in the history of baseball and softball, which represents the many years of hard work and shared vision by baseball’s and softball’s global stakeholders to be part of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

...

WBSC

http://www.wbsc.co/press-release---wbsc-submits-application-for-baseball--softball-inclusion-at-tokyo-2020-olympic-games.html

...

[gotosy]

Tokyo organizers say 26 federations apply for 2020 games

TOKYO (AP) Tokyo Olympic organizers on Friday released a list of 26 sports that that have applied for inclusion in the 2020 Games.

The combined bid from baseball and softball is considered a favorite because of the popularity of those sports in Japan. Other federations that hope to have their sports added to the program include karate, squash and sumo.

''We have three criteria in deciding which sports will be chosen,'' said Toshiro Muto, chief executive officer of the Tokyo organizing committee. ''They must be popular with young people, give momentum to Tokyo 2020 and meet IOC standards.''

The Tokyo committee said it would announce a shortlist on June 22. Finalists will make a presentation in Tokyo in August, and organizers will make recommendations to the International Olympic Committee by Sept. 30.

The IOC will make a final decision in August 2016, when it meets ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Under the IOC's ''Olympic Agenda 2020'' reforms approved in December, host cities can propose the addition of one or more sports for their games.

Baseball and softball were dropped after the 2008 Beijing Games.

Other sports on the list of applicants include surfing, roller sports, polo and American Football.

Muto also said sports which would not require new venues to be built are preferred. Tokyo Olympic organizers have been looking for ways to reduce costs.

The full list of applicants:

Air Sports, American football, baseball-softball, bowls, bowling, bridge, chess, dance sport, floorball, flying disc, karate, korfball, netball, orienteering, polo, racquetball, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, sumo, surfing, tug of war, underwater, waterski and wakeboard, and wushu

AP

http://www.foxsports.com/olympics/story/tokyo-organizers-say-26-federations-apply-for-2020-games-061215

[gotosy]

Boxing wants more women's fight at Olympics

(AFP) - The International Boxing Association (AIBA) wants to see more women fighting at the Olympic Games, its president Wu Ching-Kuo said.

"The introduction of women's boxing at the London Games in 2012 was a success," Wu told AFP in an interview.

Women's boxing will be in Rio again next year and the "aim is to get it increased for 2020 in Tokyo," Wu said.

There were gold medals in three weight divisions in London, but the AIBA wants the International Olympic Committee to agree five categories between 48 kilos and 75 kilos.

"The boxing at the European Games in Baku were held in this format and we think this is what should be done for the Tokyo Games," Wu said.

"This would be part of the Olympic Agenda 20-20 which calls for equality between men and women. It would benefit boxing and overall the Olympic Games," the AIBA president added.

Wu, who stood against Thomas Bach for the IOC presidency in 2013, said a proposal has been made to the Olympic leadership and a decision made just after the Rio Games.

The London Olympics brought women boxers such as Katie Taylor of Ireland into the international spotlight.

The next women's world championships, the Rio qualifying tournament, are in Astana, Kazakhstan in February.

AFP

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/boxing-wants-more-womens-fight-olympics-001311535--oly.html

[phandrosis]

[Faster]

Though I do like the Commonwealth mode of adding and dropping sports based on local needs and interests. I am not sure it is right for the Olympics to follow suit. Sports are not like events in Sailing where good sailors can adapt and prosper in the new program at each edition. For it to constantly be in flux if a sport is going to be staged at the Olympics would put too much pressure on sponsors, athletes and organizers to guess the impact of Olympic inclusion vs exclusion.

[gotosy]

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Additional Event(s): presentation of the 8 shortlisted International Federations

With the Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC has allowed the organising committees to make proposals for the inclusion of one or more additional events on the Olympic programme. And Tokyo 2020 is honoured and privileged to be the first OCOG to embrace this wonderful opportunity.

After the launch of a selection procedure and the shortlist of 8 International Federations (IFs), it is now time for the IF Interviews, taking place in Tokyo today.

Tokyo 2020 will make a decision on the event(s) to be proposed to the IOC in September 2015. The final decision, in line with the Olympic Charter, will be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

But before this, let's get to know the shortlisted IFs better:

Message from the World Baseball Softball Confederation

WBSC is hopeful that putting baseball and softball – Japan’s National sport – under the Tokyo 2020 umbrella could help further position the Olympic Games as the centre of the sporting and cultural universe – and provide Tokyo 2020 organisers with another tool to shine the spotlight on the 2020 Games and on the host nation itself, optimising fan-, youth- and overall engagement nationally and internationally.

With the existing baseball/softball venues throughout Japan, it could bring Tokyo 2020 and the Olympic Movement dividends – particularly in engaging both genders and youth -- with no associated construction costs and minimal operational costs – aligning with the Agenda 2020 vision.

Website: http://www.wbsc.co/

Message from World Bowling

The addition of the sport of Bowling in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will create a strong and positive impact because of its global reach and ability to engage with new audiences. Bowling is a highly accessible sport where young people can watch athletes compete at the highest level and then go with friends to a center and practice it themselves.

Moreover, Bowling is one of the most popular sports among girls and women in regions like South East Asia and the Middle East offering Tokyo 2020 a great chance to reach out and engage with new audiences that are currently not so involved with the Olympic Games.

And finally Bowling provides Tokyo 2020 with a strong additional platform for national and regional promotion with its huge popularity in Japan and across Asia at a high performance competition level.

Website: http://www.worldbowling.org/

Message from the World Karate Federation

Karate is an international sport originated in Japan that has 100 million participants in 190 NFs/5 continents. Karate's presence in the Games should greatly contribute for developing sports among youth as 80% of total participants are teenager and below, and 35% are female.

Moreover, Karate regards courtesy the most important thing as it's Japanese Budo (martial art). Athletes and referees bow each other to show respect before/after matches as well as practice. This custom is evaluated so that Karate is conducted in schools education.

Karate seeks being an Olympic sport and contribute for world peace through diffusing spirit of courtesy.

Website: http://www.wkf.net/

Message from the International Roller Sports Federation

Roller Sports can be the perfect answer to the Games' need of renewals: the events proposed can attract youth, media and sponsors attention like no other sport.

Moreover, the project presented by FIRS to the Tokyo 2020 goes beyond the ordinary proposal of sporting events: Roller Sports is an across-the-board movement and in Japan there are the perfect conditions to make this movement grow, so FIRS has proposed a five-year set of events with the objective of developing the sporting & entertainment potential to the highest level, before during and after the Games.

Website: http://www.rollersports.org/

Message from the International Federation of Sport Climbing

The vision of sport climbing is higher, faster and stronger with a fresh youth-oriented approach. Climbing brings a new vertical dimension to the Olympic Games and is the only basic human movement not yet included. Venues are impressive and provide a powerful show.

Rules are simple; get to the top! Venues are low cost and flexible; costing approximately $250,000 and can be indoors, outdoors, or share space.

In 2013 we counted 25 million climbers; in 2015 new estimates are 35 million. 50% of our climbers are under 25 years of age, thanks to the latest trend of urban/action sports.

Website: http://www.ifsc-climbing.org/

Message from the World Squash Federation

Squash is youthful, it is athletic and competitive, and enjoyed in 185 countries. It has been voted the world’s healthiest sport. Our athletes, innovation, broadcast quality and presentation are why squash would bring something special to the Olympic Games. Squash is the only racket sport where the two players share the same space - it is gladiatorial. All-glass showcourts anywhere in the city would showcase Tokyo, leaving a real legacy for the thriving sport in Japan. Squash is cost effective, with two events, 64 athletes, two courts & a short schedule. Squash is ready, squash is the sport for tomorrow.

Visit: http://www.worldsquash.org/

Message from the International Surfing Association

The ISA believes Surfing is the ideal choice for Tokyo 2020, Japan, and the whole Olympic Movement. Our vision is to offer a new and dynamic sporting platform for Tokyo 2020 to engage young people in Japan and globally.

Our sport has inherently youthful values and its blend of high performance, style and digital connectivity appeals to young people – we can showcase Tokyo and Japan to a worldwide audience and help celebrate the Games in a truly modern way. Innovative, cost-effective wave park technology will also create a sustainable urban sports hub that will benefit Tokyo for generations.

Website: https://www.isasurf.org/

International Wushu Federation (Developed by Tokyo 2020, based on IWUF’s presentation)

Wushu is a global sport with a century-long history that gathers 100 million practitioners all around the world. Well developed and on the programme of the Asian Games, the Universiade and the World Games, Wushu now targets the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In line with the Olympic Values, needing only a simple venue, visually attractive with dazzling weaponry and apparatus, appealing to the developing nations, Wushu would let attract new audiences and the youth for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement, while ensuring great commercial success for the Games’ organisers.

Website: http://www.iwuf.org/

Tokyo2020

http://tokyo2020.jp/en/news/index.php?mode=page&id=1427

[gotosy]

Tokyo 2020 to Announce its Proposed Additional Events to the IOC on 28 September

Save the date! On Monday 28 September, Tokyo 2020 will make a decision on the additional event(s) to be proposed to the International Olympic Committee for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The final decision will be taken at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

Eight International Federations are hoping to join the Olympic Programme of the 2020 Games: the World Baseball Softball Confederation, World Bowling, the World Karate Federation, the International Roller Sports Federation, the International Federation of Sport Climbing, the World Squash Federation, the International Surfing Association, and the International Wushu Federation.

...

https://tokyo2020.jp/en/news/index.php?mode=page&id=1465

[gotosy]

Eighteen Additional Events in Five Sports Proposed to the IOC by the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Organising Committee

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee today announced that it has proposed 18 additional events from five sports to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion at the Games of the XXXII Olympiad (Tokyo 2020). It has become the first ever organising committee to be given this unique opportunity to contribute to the design of the Olympic Programme, thanks to Olympic Agenda 2020.

The 18 proposed events are (sport alphabetical order):

Sports Events (Proposal) No of Events No of Athletes (total) Baseball / Softball Baseball (M) 1 144 (6 teams x 24 athletes) Softball (W) 1 90 (6 teams x 15 athletes) Karate Kata (W / M) 2 20 (10 W / 10 M) Kumite (3 weight classes - W / M) 6 60 (30 W / 30 M) Skateboard Street (W / M) 2 40 (20 W / 20 M) Park (W / M) 2 40 (20 W / 20 M) Sports Climbing Bouldering, Lead and Speed Combined (W / M) 2 40 (20 W / 20 M) Surfing Shortboard (W / M) 2 40 (20 W / 20 M) Total 18 474

This package of events represents both traditional and emerging, youth-focused events, all of which are popular both in Japan and internationally. They will serve as a driving force to further promote the Olympic Movement and its values, with a focus on youth appeal, and will add value to the Games by engaging the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide, reflecting the Tokyo 2020 Games vision.

This possibility for the OCOGs to propose events in new sports to feature at the edition of their Games, is a completely new and fresh approach in the development of the Olympic programme. It builds on the ongoing focus of flexibility, innovation and youth, allowing Tokyo 2020 to reflect the sports culture of Tokyo and Japan, destinations that have always captured the imagination of the world’s youth.

The 18 proposed events were selected by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and its Additional Event Programme Panel through an open process that was initiated in May 2015. Twenty-six IOC-recognised International Federations originally applied, and eight of these were shortlisted in June 2015.

The final decision, in line with the Olympic Charter, will be made by the IOC at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

“Each of the eight shortlisted international federations amply demonstrated their potential to add to the value of the Games and I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to each of them for their outstanding efforts. We firmly believe that by connecting with youth, bringing to life Olympic Agenda 2020 and the Tokyo 2020 vision, our proposal constitutes the best possible package that will add the most value to the Games.” said Fujio Mitarai, Chair of the Additional Event Programme Panel.

The 18 events will result in the addition of some 474 athletes to the sports programme for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Tokyo 2020 believes the proposed additional events will inspire young athletes involved in these events around the world to strive to achieve their cherished dream of competing in the world’s greatest sporting spectacle

http://www.tokyo2020.jp/en/news/index.php?mode=page&id=1473

[gotosy]

[LDOG]

Sport Climbing and Surf inclusion feels very random and stupid. And karate is almost the same as Taekwondo only that with more bullshit referees. Only 6 teams in Baseball is ridiculous.

Also, only Skateboard? no speed skating along? wtf FIRS

[Fox334]

Of these I'm only really comfortable with Skateboarding and perhaps Baseball/Softball if they add two more teams.

Combined climbing is a worse format than three separate events, surfing is stupid costly away from good natural venues and doesn't translate well on TV and Karate is incredibly boring (except for team kata, which isn't even proposed).

At least adding Skateboarding would be a bold statement and it's a cheap sport to host. Vert as a third event would be nice.