IOC approves new events for Tokyo Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday 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 on Friday.

"The fascinating new events that we approved today, together with the five new sports that were added to the Tokyo 2020 programme last year, represent a step-change in the Olympic programme. I am delighted that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will be more youthful, more urban and will include more women," said IOC President Thomas Bach.

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.

In Tokyo, the number of mixed events will double from nine in Rio 2016 to 18. All new events will make use of existing venues.

Los Angeles and Paris are bidding to host the 2024 Summer Games. Bach expressed hope that the two cities will both be awarded the hosting rights in a dual allocation.