5 new sports to feature at Tokyo's 2020 Olympic Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has voted for five new sports to be featured at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The Olympic and Paralympic logos are illuminated in before Tokyo unveils its 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game emblems at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Japan on July 24, 2015.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday said five new sports will feature at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The inclusion of the new sports is aimed at attracting a younger audience to watch the Games.
The IOC Executive Board unanimously voted in favour of the proposal.
According to new rules, host cities will have the right to handpick sports they want in addition to the existing 28 core sports.
IOC vice president John Coates said, "This is a very good proposal. It has a good balance between sports popular in Japan and those better engaging youth like surfing, skateboarding and sports climbing."
These are the five new sports:
1. Baseball
Baseball was last featured at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, before being taken off the programme.
In 2020, there will be a competition between six teams in the sport.
File image: Boston Red Sox's Mike Napoli swings against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston.
2. Skateboarding
There will be two street and two park skateboarding events at the Games.
The competitors will include 20 males and 20 females.
File image: Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.
3. Surfing
A surfing competition will take place in the sea, instead of on artificial waves.
The competitors will include 20 male and 20 female athletes.
File image: Surfers look at the Atlantic Ocean in Miami Beach, Florida.
4. Sports climbing
Sports climbing will feature male and female competitions in bouldering and speed climbing.
File image: A female athlete during a climb.
5. Karate
Karate will have two events for kata and three weight classes for kumite, for both male and female athletes.
Copyright © 2024 TRT World.