Sports voted onto the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020 are set to be allowed to become associate members of Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) following a proposal here today.
The amendment to ASOIF’s constitution, announced following a meeting of its ruling Council, is due to be voted on by the full membership at its Annual Meeting on Tuesday (April 19).
If accepted, it would allow the World Baseball Softball Confederation, International Federation of Sport Climbing, the World Karate Federation and International Surfing Association to join.
Whichever federation is eventually chosen to oversee skateboarding, would also become members.
All five sports have been recommended for inclusion on the Olympic programme by Tokyo 2020.
Under the ASOIF proposal, Federations overseeing such events would become “Associate Members” for a limited term.
International Federations governing sports which are on the sports programme of the Summer Olympic Games, as listed in the fourth Bye-law to Rule 45 of the Olympic Charter, would fulfil the status of “Full Members”.
Inclusion within ASOIF would allow the sports to play a role in coordinating preparations for Tokyo 2020.
The decision on which sports to include at Tokyo 2020 is due to be taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Session in Rio de Janeiro on August 2 until 4.
The main discussion is expected to centre on skateboarding.
There are currently three governing bodies who want to organise the sport if it is included at Tokyo 2020.
They are led by the International Roller Sports Federation, who presented the sport’s bid to Tokyo 2020.
There are other two organisations, however, who claim to be the governing body.
The International Skateboarding Federation, run by American Gary Ream and which organised the sport when it was part of the Sports Lab at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.
Their rivals are the World Skateboarding Federation, led by another American, Tim McFerran, which is in charge of the World Skateboarding Championships.
Discussions are ongoing between the three rival bodies but, so far, without a resolution.
- By Duncan Mackay at the Royal Savoy Hotel in Lausanne
- Republished with permission insidethegames.biz