Squash, surfing could make Tokyo Olympics

Squash, surfing and tenpin bowling are among eight sports shortlisted for inclusion on to the Olympic programme in Tokyo in 2020. Photo / Getty Images

Squash, surfing and tenpin bowling are among eight sports shortlisted for inclusion on to the Olympic programme in Tokyo in 2020.

The eight survive from a list of 28 released by Tokyo officials this month, which included sports as diverse as netball, polo, snooker and water skiing - and others which may figure more in the pastime category, such as chess, bridge, underwater sports, tug of war and orienteering.

There is scope for one or more sports to be added to the programme. The other five sports to survive the first cull are baseball/softball, roller sports, sports climbing, karate and wushu, another martial art. With taekwondo and judo locked into the programme, one of them would seem to have to drop out to make way for either of the latter two candidates.

Squash sought a place in the original field for Tokyo but missed out to golf and rugby sevens. However, on the basis that sports must first be overlooked before getting in, and with the likelihood of more than one new sport being added, squash could be in with a good chance.

It has pointed to a strong tradition in Japan, which boasts leading junior players.

Baseball/softball was last on the programme in Beijing in 2008, both are highly popular in Japan, where the professional baseball leagues are followed avidly. They are considered the favourites for selection.

Bowling supporters mustered over one million signatures in Japan to have it brought on to the programme while surfing is sure to have plenty of advocacy.

Sport climbing was chosen last year by the IOC as a demonstration sport at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. It might be a dark horse.

"We have chosen them based on three principles the Tokyo committee has decided," panel chairman Fujio Mitarai said.

According to the committee, new sports should be popular among young people and "add value to the Games by engaging the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide". They also said their selection should be "open and fair".

Under Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms within the IOC, Games hosts are entitled to bring in sports popular in their country to boost ratings and attract greater sponsorship.

All eight successful federations go to a second stage, including making submissions to the organisers by July 22 before briefings in Tokyo on August 7 and 8.

Organisers make recommendations to the IOC by September 30. The IOC's final decision will be in August next year.