Sport Climbing, Skateboarding And Surfing Set For La 2028

The International Olympic Committee have confirmed that sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing are set to be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, having made their Olympic debuts at Tokyo 2020. 

All three sports are already confirmed for Paris 2024, with their inclusion at Tokyo seen as a huge success in attracting a younger demographic to the Games. 

However, the long-standing Olympic sports of boxing, modern pentathlon and weightlifting did not make the cut of the initial 28 sports and must meet certain criteria in 2023 to be included.  

This is a bitter blow for boxing and weighlifting in particular, with their respective international federations both being warned to improve their financial transparency and governance, or risk being excluded from future Olympic Games. 

For modern pentathlon, which has been part of the Games for more than a century, IOC President Thomas Bach commented: 

“The UIPM (modern pentathlon federation) must finalise its proposal for a replacement of horse riding and overall competition format … they must demonstrate significant reduction in cost … and appeal to youth and the general public.” 

All three sports that are left out will be up for re-inclusion at the IOC session in 2023.