Tokyo Proposes 18 Events in Five Sports for Olympics

(ATR) Tokyo 2020 has proposed 18 additional events in five sports for inclusion at the Olympics.

Baseball/softball, karate, skateboard, sports climbing and surfing were chosen torepresent "both traditional and emerging, youth-focused events".

Squash, which failed in its last bid to join the Olympics, misses out this time too, along with bowling and wushu.

The additional events are the biggest ever for an Olympics of the recent era.The 18 events would result in an extra 474 athletes taking part in the Tokyo Games, joining the program of 28 sports.

"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," said Fujio Mitarai, chair of the Tokyo 2020's additional event program panel.

"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."

The IOC Executive Board is expected to discuss the proposal at its meeting in December. The final decision on the number and makeup of new sports and events for the 2020 Olympics will be made at the IOC Session in Rio next August.

The Tokyo additions are not designed to be permanent fixtures beyond the 2020 Olympics. Under IOC reforms passed last December, future Olympic cities will be offered the same opportunity to propose new sports and events to best fit their Olympic vision - on top of the 28 core sports on the program.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said in a statement that the IOC was "very happy to receive the Tokyo 2020 proposal on the additional sports events" for consideration for the Olympics.

"This is another concrete step forward in the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, showing a new, fresh and very exciting approach to the Olympic program," he said. "The proposal by Tokyo 2020 reflects the innovative approach of Olympic Agenda 2020, with a particular appeal to youth.

Tokyo Event Proposals

Under Tokyo's plan, baseball/softballwould bring the most athletes. For men's baseball, last played at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a total of 144 (6 teams x 24 athletes). For women's softball, 90 (6 teams x 15 athletes).

Of the five sports, it seems a shoo-in to be approved by the IOC next summer due to the sports' huge popularity in Japan.

World Baseball and Softball Confederation president Riccardo Fraccari tells Around the Rings that Monday's decision byTokyo 2020 "is a home run and giant leap forward for baseball and softball".Thanking Tokyo 2020, he said the baseball and softball world "is excited and ready to cross the Olympic home plate".

"We will do everything possible so that baseball and softball, if included, are a great attraction/success for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and IOC's Agenda 2020, as it remains WBSC's top priority to demonstrate that our sport aligns with the Olympic Movement and has the qualities to earn a place on the Olympic programme in 2020 and in future Games," he added.

With eight events in kata and kumite, karate boasts the most events of the new sports - and 80 athletes.

The inclusion of skateboard would offer 80 athletes the chance to compete in men's and women's street and park events, four in total.

Sports climbing would bring 40 athletes to the Games to participate for medals in bouldering, lead and speed combined.

Surfing would involve 40 athletes in men's and women's shortboardevents.

International Surfing Association president Fernando Aguerre described the Tokyo 2020 announcement as"an extraordinary moment for our sport and for the global surfing community.The ISA has been riding an amazing wave in this journey for Olympic inclusion and we are thrilled that Tokyo 2020 recognise the exceptional value and youthful lifestyle that surfing can bring to the 2020 Games. "

Tokyo 2020 said its package of new sports "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".

Monday's decision followed the shortlisting of eight sports in June from the 26 IOC-recognised international federations who submitted bids earlier that month.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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