Following the International Olympic Committee’s approval of the 2020 Olympic Agenda, which gives host countries the possibility to propose one or more additional events to be included in
their edition’s program, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee opened its application process for additional events in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last May. Last week, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee announced the eight shortlisted IOC-Recognized International Federations, and the sport climbing is on the list.
“It is an honour to be included in this new shortlist with these other fantastic sports. All of us at the IFSC are deeply committed to meeting this new challenge. Together with our athletes, we can reach new heights” says Marco Scolaris, President of the International Federation of Sport Climbing.
“Climbing competitions are exciting and challenging events for both the athletes and the spectators, whether it is Speed, Lead or Bouldering. With a young and quickly growing fan base, and an increasing number of excellent young athletes, our sport has a bright future. The trend is upward and we are convinced that Sport Climbing would perfectly complete the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games program” says Jérôme Meyer, IFSC Sport Manager, and former World Cup winner and European Champion.
Recent years have seen an impressive growth of climbing gyms in Japan, says the group, and the country is fostering a lively and vibrant climbing community and several world level athletes, in both senior and youth categories.
“The timing for this decision couldn’t be better: Japanese athletes have just won three medals in the IFSC Bouldering World Cup that was hosted in Chongqing (CHN), with a gold for Akiyo Noguchi, a silver for Miho Nonaka and, in the men’s category, a bronze for Tsukuru Hori,” says Scolaris.
The IFSC is now at work on Phase II of the process, which entails the submission of further details and interviews that will take place in Tokyo on August 7-8, 2015. The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee will make a decision on the events to be proposed to the IOC in September 2015. The final decision will be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.
