IOC approves new events for 2020 Tokyo Game

The International Olympic Committee has approved new events for the 2020 Tokyo Games, including a number of mixed gender competitions. The IOC's Executive Board made the decision at a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland yesterday. The choices reflect the IOC's focus on gender equality and appeal to young people. 

The additions include a mixed team event for judo. Each team will consist of 3 men and 3 women, all representing different weight classes. Team events have already taken place at the judo world championships, but never on a mixed-gender basis. Table Tennis will also get a mixed doubles competition. The event was featured in the recent world championships in Germany. A Japanese pair won gold.

Three-on-three basketball is an



example of the IOC's focus on youth and urban sports. The 10-minute match on a half-sized court is known for its speed. The International Basketball Federation adopted it as an official discipline with common rules in 2007, to make it popular around the world. The IOC has recommended awarding the hosting rights for both the 2024 and 2028 Games at the same time. 

The US city of Los Angeles and Paris, France are bidding to host the 2024 Summer Games. IOC President Thomas Bach expressed hope that the two cities will both be awarded the hosting rights in a dual allocation. This came after Rome, Hamburg and Budapest withdrew their bids for the 2024 Games because of the massive costs they would have to shoulder to organize the event.