2021 TOKYO OLYMPICS NEW SPORTS
SURFING
Makes its debut at Shidshita Beach on Japan‘s Pacific Coast with 20 men and 20 women competing in separate competitions. The competition will use shortboards and a four-man heat structure — four athletes will compete at a time. The best two of each heat continue to the next round. There will be a panel of judges to determine performance. Scores are based on difficulty of manoeuvres and how they are executed, taking into account speed, power and flow. Only two surfers per country, with selection based on world rankings.
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
Being reintroduced after their last appearance at the 2008 Beijing Games. Their reinstatement follows an invitation by the IOC for the host country to propose the temporary inclusion of additional events. They suggested women’s softball and men’s baseball, considering their popularity in Japan.
SPORT CLIMBING
In Olympic sport climbing, athletes will traverse an artificial wall dotted with holds of different shapes and sizes. The combined format will feature three disciplines: speed climbing, bouldering and lead climbing. Speed climbing involves two climbers racing up a fixed route on a 15m wall. Bouldering involves climbers scaling a number of fixed routes on a 4m wall within a given time, without ropes, over a safety mate. Lead climbing sees the competitors try to climb as high as possible on an overhanging 15m wall within a six-minute time limit. The athlete who climbs to the highest point wins.
SKATEBOARDING
There will be two Olympic disciplines: Park and Street. Park takes place in a hollowedout bowl that features a series of curved surfaces that rise steeply. Competitors climb the curves at speed and perform mid-air tricks. The Street involves competitors showing off their skills or “tricks” on a course that includes stairs, handrails, curbs, benches, walls and slopes.
KARATE
Will consist of two forms of karate: kata (a solo form) and kumite (sparring). Kata is a demonstration of a series of offensive and defensive movements made to be practised alone targeting a virtual opponent. In kumite, competitors are allowed to use three techniques: striking, kicking and punching. They have to try to land strikes on the target area of their opponent‘s body to gain points. There will be three weight classes each for men‘s and women’s kumite events.