Would-Be Olympic Sports

[This article consists of 4 illustrations. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

SKATEBOARDING

The Olympics are on a perpetual quest to connect with younger audiences. This X Games fave checks that box, even though its biggest name, Tony Hawk, is 47.

SURFING

The waves! The wipeouts! The beach views! The sport has a rich history and will play well on TV. The post-event interviews should also be gnarly.

CLIMBING

“Rules are simple,” an official said during a pitch to Tokyo officials. “Get to the top.” It’s also popular; there are an estimated 35 million climbers worldwide.

KARATE

The sport, with its deep roots in Japan, is a natural fit for a Tokyo Games. Watch for Azerbaijan’s Rafael Aghayev, who could be a gold-medal favorite.