Baseball, softball, karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing have all been added to the Tokyo 2020 programme, it was confirmed yesterday in Lausanne.

The decision was made in a single vote by International Olympic Committee (IOC) members at the session in Rio.

“We want to take sport to the youth,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

Presidents of all the five sport said that the Olympics have been their dream for a long time, and now the hard work has finally paid off.

“We have a real vision around what these new sports will add to the mix for Tokyo 2020, and it’s a vision that isn’t just limited to these fivesports but what we want the Olympic program to do, what we want sport to be in the future of the Olympic Games,” said Kit McConnell, the IOC’s sports director.
Joahim Gossow CEO of IWGA stated that this clearly outlines again the importance of the World Games as all 5 sports are part of the World Games and the World Games is the stepping stone to the Olympics.
This is fantastic and a historical moment for the Olympic movement stated AIMS President and Sportaccord Vice President Stephan Fox.
IFMA would like to congratulate all these sports, and Stephan Fox was in Rio de Janeiro at the session to congratulate representatives on the inclusion into the Olympic programme.
This is wonderful news for the young athletes and the dream come true for 5 sports and all athletes and IFMA as a member of the IWGA and IFMA would like to congratulate all the athletes for this wonderful achievement.

 

Stephan Fox with the President of the World Karate Federation Antonio Espinoz
Stephan Fox with the President of the World Karate Federation Antonio Espinoz and IWGA CEO Joahim Gossow