Earlier today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) agreed to add five new sports to the program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The new plan includes skateboarding, sports climbing, karate, baseball/softball and surfing. This historic step is a reflection of the urbanization of sport. The vote comes after a two-year culmination period. The new program aims to focus on innovation, flexibility and youth development.
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“The inclusion of the package of new sports will afford young athletes the chance of a lifetime to realise their dreams of competing in the Olympic Games – the world's greatest sporting stage – and inspire them to achieve their best, both in sport and in life.”
Yoshiro Mori
Tokyo 2020 President
The five new sports will see the addition of 18 events and a total of 474 athletes, with equal numbers of women and men for all sports.
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