Surfing makes case for Olympic inclusion with presentation to Tokyo 2020

Tokyo, Japan; 7 August 2015:The International Surfing Association (ISA) today highlighted its case for Surfing to be included in the 2020 Olympic Games with a presentation to the Tokyo 2020 Additional Event Programme Panel.

The ISA delegation, led by its President Fernando Aguerre, included:

· Atsushi Sakai, President of the Nippon Surfing Association;

· Masatoshi Ohno, Japan’s leading professional surfer; and

· Fernando Odriozola, Director of Wavegarden, the company behind the Surf Snowdonia wave park.

The ISA is one of eight International Federations under consideration for their sports events to be possibly included at the Games in five years’ time. Tokyo 2020 will now propose the successful International Federations and events to the IOC before the final decision is made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said:

"We were immensely honoured for the opportunity to present to Tokyo 2020 today. This is a milestone moment for the ISA and the global Surfing family, including the 96 National Federations that we represent. The whole team made me feel so proud today of my sport and what we could bring to the Olympic programme.

"Through today’s presentation, we highlighted the universality of Surfing and its great appeal amongst young people. ‎Of the 35 million surfers in the world, we estimate 14 million are aged 12 to 24, a significant youth market for Tokyo 2020 and the Olympic Movement to engage with.

"Surfing’s blend of sport performance, fashionable style and dynamic energy can now help attract even greater and stronger audiences to the Games as well as stimulate further interest from international broadcasters and commercial partners.

"In the spirit of Agenda 2020, we have also proposed event plan options for Tokyo that are sustainable, innovative and flexible – either on ocean waves or in a state-of-the-art surf park - that will also help create long-term social, recreational and economic benefits in Tokyo and Japan.

"Innovation underpins everything our sport is about and Surfing’s young fan-base and cool, star athletes fully embrace the digital age. Our online social communities will spread Tokyo 2020’s message of 'Connecting to Tomorrow' via new media platforms and help the city deliver its vision to be the most innovative Games ever.

"We believe just as Nagano dramatically transformed the face of the Winter Games with the introduction of Snowboarding, so would Tokyo change Summer Games history with the introduction of Surfing – representing a landmark moment for the Olympic Movement."

Masatoshi Ohno, Japan’s premier surfer, said:

"It is every sportsperson’s dream to compete at the Olympic Games and it is no different for all the world’s top surfers. It would be fantastic to have Surfing debut at the Games in my home country where 2million people are involved in surfing activities.

"I believe Olympic Surfing would be an amazing experience for all the athletes and young fans and its fits perfectly with the aims and objectives of Tokyo 2020.

"Japanese success in international Surfing competitions has improved in recent years and we were thrilled in Japan when 18 year old Hiroto Ohhara created history by becoming the first ever Japanese US Open Surfing Champion last week. Hiroto’s performance gives me great hope that Team Japan will now win a Surfing medal at Tokyo 2020 if our sport were to be included in the Games."

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only