Head of IOC says new sports important part of Olympic programme
TOKYO, Aug 6 -- Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), says he is satisfied with the debut of several sports at the Tokyo Olympic Games, currently being held from July 23 to Aug 8.
At the 2020 Tokyo Games, karate, surfing, rock climbing and skateboarding were presented for the first time in the Olympic programme.
“New urban sports have indeed become an important part of the Olympic programme. There was a lot of skepticism regarding skateboarding, for example. Skepticism, including from our side. Will skaters respect our rules, will they become part of the Olympic family, will they follow our values?” Sputnik quoted Bach telling a press conference.
The Tokyo Olympics, is panning out as the largest Olympic Games in terms of sports varieties, boasting 33 new types of competition.
-- BERNAMA
