Canadian Olympic Committee  – RIO DE JANEIRO — On Wednesday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) released the following statement, supporting the IOC’s decision to add baseball/softball, karate, sports climbing, skateboarding and surfing to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Program. The decision was made today at the IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro.

“We applaud the IOC’s decision to include baseball/softball, karate, sports climbing, skateboarding and surfing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Program. It is an important recognition of those sports that have experienced significant growth world-wide and the exceptional athletes who take part in them. These additions will attract millions of new fans around the world to the Olympic Movement. Congratulations to each National Sport Federation, we’ll see you in Tokyo.”

– Tricia Smith, President, Canadian Olympic Committee

“This is an incredible and historic moment for the sport of surfing! For a country that has the longest coastline on earth, very few Canadians are aware that surfing has been thriving on our pristine shores since the 1950’s, and even fewer know that Canada is home to some of the planet’s best surf spots and most dedicated surfers. It is an incredible achievement by everyone involved and we are ecstatic that the IOC has approved surfing’s inclusion and we are truly looking forward to the Olympic spotlight shining brightly for the first time on Canadian surfers as they go for gold in Tokyo 2020!”

– Dom Domic, President, Canadian Surfing Association

“We are delighted with today’s news of the return of women’s softball to the Olympic Games. This is a fantastic opportunity for the many Canadian players who will be striving to be in Tokyo in 2020. We look forward to working with the COC and our other partners to make that a reality for our team.”

– Kevin Quinn, President, Softball Canada

“It is with great joy and excitement that Climbing Escalade Canada welcomes this announcement. Competition climbing is a rapidly growing sport in Canada, and this gives our remarkable athletes a great objective to aim for with the opportunity and honour of joining the Olympic family in Tokyo. However, Canada’s objective is much more than just participation in the 2020 Olympics. Top Canadian athlete Sean McColl is currently one of the best competitive climbers in the world, with three Overall World Champion titles, which means that Canada can aim for gold!”

– Maria Izquierdo, President, Climbing Escalade Canada

“Having baseball as part of the Olympic sport program again is great news for our sport and our National Teams program. With the 2020 Olympic Games taking place in a baseball-rich nation such as Japan, it will in turn enhance the profile of the sport in Canada and around the globe. We are looking forward to the next steps in the process and ultimately building a squad to qualify for the Games.”

– Jason Dickson, Baseball Canada President

“The entire Canadian karate community is thrilled with this historic news, and inclusion of the sport of karate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games’ program represents a milestone of immense significance for all karateka across the globe. With the continued support of the Canadian government, the Canadian Olympic Committee and our other partners, Karate Canada is sparing no effort to ensure its readiness for these Games, and we excitedly look forward to seeing our remarkable Canadian karate athletes shine on the world stage, in the very birthplace of this hugely popular martial art and combat sport.”

– Craig Vokey, President, Karate Canada

“Skateboarding in Canada is as strong as it’s ever been. We are ecstatic to hear the announcement of its inclusion in Tokyo 2020 and are eager to showcase our athletes on the international stage. Canada is world-renowned for its high caliber skateboarders and with the correct nurturing, we anticipate a strong addition to the ‘Own the Podium’ program we welcome the attention the Olympics will bring to our culture and the platform it will provide for our current and future athletes.”

– Kevin Harris, Spokesperson, Canadian Amateur Skateboarding Association

Contacts

Cherry Ye
Media Relations, Canada Olympic House
Canadian Olympic Committee
Mobile: +55-21-99409-4064
cye@olympic.ca
 

Ricky Landry
Media Relations, Main Press Centre
Canadian Olympic Committee
Mobile: +55-21-99034-5206
rlandry@olympic.ca