Five Sports Recommended For Tokyo 2020
Five additional sports have been recommended for inclusion at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with baseball/softball, karate, skateboard, sport climbing and surfing put through ahead of a final decision next year.
The sports, which would take place over 18 events and include 474 more athletes, will find out if they are to be included in the final programme of events when the International Olympic Committee make a final decision next August.
Games hosts are given a chance to bring in one or more sports popular in their country to boost ratings and attract greater sponsorship.
A statement from the Tokyo 2020 organising committee said: “This package of events represents both traditional and emerging, youth-focused events, all of which are popular both in Japan and internationally.”
Eight sports were shortlisted, with bowling, squash and wushu missing out.
Baseball and softball, united under the World Baseball Softball Confederation, return to the Olympics for the first time since Asia last hosted the Summer Games, in Beijing in 2008.
World Squash Federation president N Ramachandran said he was “devastated” by the news: “After our 12 year journey to join the Olympic Games programme, and the opportunity of a second chance after the heart-break of missing out in our first 2020 bid in Buenos Aires two years ago, I am utterly devastated on behalf of our great sport that our dream of taking part in the Tokyo Games cannot now be realised.”
“However, this is not the end for squash. Our sport, played by vast numbers week in and week out, flourishes at every level from recreational to events around the world. We will go from strength to strength while we continue to target participation at a future date in the Games.”
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