Tokyo 2020 Olympics: What are six new sports, details, medals to be won and rules
Tokyo Olympics: Here's the breakdown of the six new sports at the Summer Games. The International Olympic Committee has added these new sports in the hope of increasing its appeal to younger audiences.
Published : Jul 13, 2021 17:34 IST
BASEBALL
Became a medal event in 1992
Was removed from the program after 2008
Baseball is extremely popular in Japan, with the country’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league widely hailed for its talent
Six countries will participate in the baseball tournament
Baseball tournament is men only
Opening-round pool play will be followed by a knockout stage to determine the champion
Gold medals available: 1
SOFTBALL
Became a medal event in 1996
Was removed from the program after 2008
Six countries will participate in the softball tournament
The softball tournament is women only
The opening round will feature each team playing each other in a round-robin format. The top two teams will advance to the final.
Gold medals available: 1
SKATEBOARDING
First time skateboarding is in the Olympics
Two disciplines: park and street
Park skateboarding takes place on a hollowed-out course with complicated curves
Street skateboarding has obstacles like rails, stairs, kerbs and benches. Athletes have to use each section to demonstrate their skills, tricks and creativity within a set time limit
A group of judges will score each run in both disciplines
Gold medals available: 4
SURFING
Surfing is making its Olympic debut
Men’s and women’s contest in Tokyo
Both will feature preliminary-round heats followed by head-to-head knockouts
Tsurigasaki Beach in Ichinomiya to host the competition
Gold medals available: 2
SPORT CLIMBING
To be contested as a single event
Three main disciplines - speed climbing, bouldering, lead climbing - to be used in a combined format to determine an overall winner for both men and women
Gold medals available: 2
KARATE
Two disciplines in Tokyo: kata and kumite
In Kata, athletes are judged on karate techniques. In kumite, athletes compete head-to-head
Three weight classes each for men and women in kumite
Nippon Budokan to host the competition
Gold medals available: 8