The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan will be the first Olympic games to feature skateboarding (street and park) and surfing according to an announcement today (August 3, 2016) from the International Olympic Committee.
Professional skateboarder and ISF athlete representative, Neal Hendrix, said: “I’m excited to be the athlete representative on the Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission. It is really important to me that skateboarding culture is fairly represented and protected on this global stage, and I hope skateboarders worldwide will be proud of the show that the best male and female skateboarders in the world are going to put on in Tokyo in 2020.”
International Surfing Association President Fernando Aguerre, who once said he would fight for surfing’s inclusion in the Olympics even if it meant waiting until every current IOC official had died of old age, was understanably ecstatic:
“After decades of hard work and dedication we are absolutely thrilled that Surfing will officially join the Olympic Sports Program at Tokyo 2020. Our Olympic dream has now become a reality and on behalf of the entire Surfing family I would like to express our sincere thanks to the IOC and Tokyo 2020 for their pioneering vision in making this historic decision possible.
Other sports added in the announcement include baseball/softball, and sport climbing. For the official words from both the ISF and the ISA please follow the jump. More details as the arrive.
Skateboarding in the Olympics, International Olympic Committee Announces Street and Park Events to Debut in Tokyo 2020
Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission Established to Guide Authentic, World-Class Skateboarding Competitions
Orange County, Calif. — The Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission, a collaboration between the Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) and the International Skateboarding Federation (ISF), is proud to announce the addition of Skateboarding into the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. At the International Olympic Committee (IOC) general session today in Rio de Janeiro, the IOC unanimously approved Skateboarding as one of five new sports making their historic Olympic debuts.
The Organizing Committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games proposed the new sports in response to the flexibility provided by Olympic Agenda 2020 which is the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement. Skateboarding’s vast youth appeal, accessibility and legacy plan make it a perfect fit for Tokyo 2020’s vision of a youth-focused and inspiring Games.
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(l to r) Current SLS Nike SB Super Crown Men’s and Women’s World Champions Kelvin Hoefler and Leticia Bufoni with IOC President Thomas Bach, ISF Athlete Representative Neal Hendrix and professional skateboarder Candy Jacobs at the Nanjing 2014 Sports Lab during the Youth Olympic Games. Photo courtesy of ISF.
“I’ve always believed that if skateboarding was properly protected and supported, its appearance on the Olympic stage could change the world,” said Gary Ream, Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission Chairman and ISF President. “We’re excited to have that opportunity in Tokyo thanks to the IOC’s Agenda 2020 and the creation of the Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission.”
The Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission – a first-time partnership between FIRS and ISF – was formed under the guidance of the International Olympic Committee to ensure skateboarding competitions will be delivered at the highest level at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Commission is in charge of all aspects of producing the Skateboard Street and Park Terrain events at the Games. The three-person, international panel of members that form The Tokyo Skateboarding Commission include: Gary Ream, President, ISF; Simone Masserini, Executive Director, FIRS; Neal Hendrix, pro skateboarder and ISF athlete representative.
“This is a monumental achievement that makes our organization proud to be part of,” said Sabatini Aracu, FIRS president. “It will be our duty at the highest level to make sure that the presence of skateboarding in the Tokyo Olympic Games meets the highest expectations.”
Professional skateboarder and ISF athlete representative, Neal Hendrix, said: “I’m excited to be the athlete representative on the Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission. It is really important to me that skateboarding culture is fairly represented and protected on this global stage, and I hope skateboarders worldwide will be proud of the show that the best male and female skateboarders in the world are going to put on in Tokyo in 2020.”
For images and more information, log on to www.skateboarding2020.com.
About Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission (TSC)
The Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission is a partnership between the Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports and the International Skateboarding Federation formed under the guidance of the International Olympic Committee. The TSC is in charge of all aspects of producing the Skateboard Street and Park Terrain events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
About Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS)
The Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the governing body of Skateboarding. As the governing body, FIRS is responsible for institutional matters related to skateboarding including anti-doping, match-fixing and illegal betting.
About International Skateboarding Federation (ISF)
The International Skateboarding Federation was established to provide direction and governance to the sport of skateboarding worldwide while upholding the culture, authenticity and lifestyle of skateboarding that is freedom of self-expression, passion and creativity.
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ISA Thrilled by IOC Decision
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 3, 2016 – The International Surfing Association (ISA) has expressed its gratitude and excitement following today’s decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to add Surfing to the Sports Program for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The vote was taken at the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro.