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You know this year's Olympics in Rio is bad when before it's even started, the world is banging on about the next one that's four years away.
That's because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has just dropped the news that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will stage surfing, skateboarding, baseball/softball, karate and climbing.
The decision to add the new disciplines came in a bid to target more youthful sports to keep the Games fresh and appealing for all.
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"With the many options that young people have, we cannot expect any more that they will come automatically to us. We have to go to them," said IOC President Thomas Bach in a news release.
"Our Olympic dream has now become a reality and on behalf of the entire surfing family I would like to express our sincere thanks to the IOC and Tokyo 2020 for their pioneering vision in making this historic decision possible," said International Surfing Association President, Fernando Aguerre.
An estimated 474 new athletes are expected to come together to compete in 18 new competitions as a result from the decision.
"I've always believed that if skateboarding was properly protected and supported, its appearance on the Olympic stage could change the world," said Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission Chairman and ISF President Gary Ream.
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The 2020 Olympic host believes it is what the future of the Games needs in order to stay engaging with its audience of all demographics.
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"The inclusion of the package of new sports will afford young athletes the chance of a lifetime to realise their dreams of competing in the Olympic Games," added Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori.
And with that, Tokyo is four years away from saving the Olympic legacy. Meanwhile, Rio is days away from covering it in shit, quite literally.
Words: Hamish Kilburn
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