Lagos, – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has opened applications for sports to apply for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.
Federations have until June 8 to submit responses to a preliminary set of questions.
An online portal disclosed that a total of 33 IOC recognised federations have been invited to apply, with baseball and softball considered favourites to return to the Games following its exclusion from Beijing 2008.
According to the statement, Karate and squash also harbour serious aspirations, while roller sports, surfing, sport climbing, Wushu and snooker are others aiming to be included.
It added skateboarding which is not recognised by IOC could also apply, but seemingly only if it is amalgamated within the International Roller Skating Federation (FIRS).
It revealed that the other 25 eligible sports to apply are bowling, bridge, underwater sports, chess, climbing and mountaineering, motorcycling, water-ski and wakeboarding, air sports, floor ball, polo.
Others are flying disc, motor racing, Basque pelota, korfball, netball, lifesaving, dance sport, boules, tug of war, orienteering, power boating, sumo, cricket, racquetball and American football.
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The statement said that additional programme panel will examine each of the applications to ensure full compliance with the key principle of serving as a “driving force to promote the Olympic Movement.
It also disclosed that a panel of shortlisted federations and events will then be formed, with successful applicants to be informed of the panel’s decision before June 22.
According to the portal, shortlisted federations will submit further details and present it in front of the panel in August before recommendations are passed to Tokyo 2020 ahead of a final decision.
The decision will then need to be approved formally at next year’s IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016 on the eve of the Olympics. (NAN)