Today the IOC will vote to decide whether surfers will be sporting Olympic gold in 2020. Photo: ISA
Expect a big decision from the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday, August 3. The governing body of the Olympic Games will determine whether surfing, skateboarding and rock climbing (as well as karate and baseball/softball) will be included in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
The IOC Executive Board has already pledged its support for an affirmative vote, which means it would be seriously surprising if surfing did not get approved for the Tokyo Games.
It’s the sixth time the Committee has considered surfing for the Games. Olympic surfing would take place in the ocean — not in wave pools, an idea that was scrapped in May — in a format that would feature 20 men and 20 women. The inclusion of surfing is a prospect that has inspired enthusiasm, vehemence and indifference.
Ditto for skateboarding, only it’s also spawned something weirder: a lawsuit over who should manage Olympic skateboarding. Last week, the World Skateboarding Federation sued the International Skateboarding Federation, alleging that it has been too lax on anti-doping rules and pulling some shady maneuvers to court the IOC.
Editor’s Note: The ISA has told us the vote will occur today between 3PM and 5PM local Rio time. That’s between 2PM and 4PM EDT, and between 11PM and 1PM PDT. Be sure to mark your calendars and check out the live stream here.
