Tokyo 2020 chiefs nominate baseball for Olympics return

Tokyo

THE organisers of the 2020 Olympics on Monday nominated eight new sports for possible inclusion in the Tokyo Games, including baseball.

The list, which will be narrowed down in August before being presented to the International Olympic Committee for a decision, comprises baseball/softball, bowling, karate, roller sports, sports climbing, squash, surfing and martial arts.

"We have chosen them based on three principles the Tokyo committee has decided," said panel chair Fujio Mitarai.

According to the committee, new sports to be added to the 2020 Olympics should be popular among young people and "add value to the Games by engaging the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide", and their selection should be "open…