Skateboarding as an Olympic sport? According to a recent announcement by the International Olympic Committee, skateboarding—along with breaking (as in break dancing), sport climbing and surfing may join the roster of eligible sports for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
Olympic fans may already recognize some of these sports as existing events—but for a more younger set. The 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Brazil included breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing as medal events.
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Following on the heels of the 2018 Youth Games, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing will make their grand debuts in Tokyo, Japan during the 2020 Summer Games. Even though these sports are already included in the 2020 program of events, there’s no guarantee that any of them will make a reappearance. In other words, they’re not permanent sports. The Olympic Programme Commission will evaluate the additions and recommend either inclusion or exclusion to the IOC.
So why include break dancing, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing in the Summer Olympics? According to a statement made by IOC President Thomas Bach, “They contribute to make the program of the Games more gender-balanced, more youthful and more urban.” Bach also added, “These four sports also offer the opportunity to connect with the young generation there.”
—Erica Loop
Featured photo: David Whittaker via Pexels
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