Surfing and climbing are among a narrowed list of five sports for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, according to a from the games’ organizing committee. They join baseball/softball, karate, and skateboarding for a combined five sports that include a total of 18 events.
“Each of the eight shortlisted international federations amply demonstrated their potential to add to the value of the games,” Fujio Mitarai, chairman of the Tokyo 2020 Additional Event Program Panel, said in the release. “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.”
A combination of bouldering, lead, and speed climbing would make up the climbing events for men and women. Surfing would also be divided by gender. Both sports would cap the field at 20 men and 20 women.
“Tokyo 2020’s announcement today is an extraordinary moment for our sport and for the global surfing community,” International Surfing Association president .
“Of course, there is still a long way to go, and all of us at the [International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC)] are deeply committed to meeting the challenges ahead,” said Marco Scolaris, president of the IFSC, .
Japan’s event proposal will not be finalized until August 2016, after being voted on by the International Olympic Committee at the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.