The International Olympic Committee has approved a proposal to include surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The decision by the IOC was expected after its executive board agreed to an initial list of 28 sports in December. The announcement comes a day ahead of the opening ceremony for the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Los Angeles organisers have welcomed the “three iconic West Coast sports” that made their debuts at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The IOC is promoting urban sports to attract younger viewers.
The Initial Sports Programme of the Olympic Games @LA28 will be composed of 28 sports, including skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, with a strong focus on youth. It was approved today by the 139th #IOCSession. #Beijing2022 .https://t.co/3aiLIgUKpR pic.twitter.com/jJ9zVTkVFJ
— Christian Klaue (@ChKlaue) February 3, 2022
Boxing, modern pentathlon and weightlifting have not yet been included. They can be added next year by meeting targets set by the IOC board.
“Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon may potentially be included in the LA28 Initial Sports Programme by the IOC Session in 2023 if by then the respective IFs have demonstrated to the IOC’s satisfaction that they have satisfactorily addressed the areas specified by the EB on 9 December 2021,” said an IOC statement.
Space can also be made for sports suggested by Los Angeles organisers. Those could include breakdancing or baseball and softball. Breakdancing will debut at the 2024 Olympics at the request of the Paris organisers.
The IOC and the LA28 Organising Committee renewed their joint commitment to prioritising a reduction in the cost and complexity of hosting the Games, including a review of each sport’s disciplines, which will be finalised prior to the IOC Session in 2023, in consultation with LA28 and the IFs.
(With inputs from PTI)
