Olympics: Tokyo 2020 chiefs nominate baseball for Games comeback

Tokyo

The organisers of the 2020 Olympics on Monday added baseball in the eight new sports nominated for possible inclusion in the Tokyo Games.

The full list, which will go before the International Olympic Committee for a decision, comprises baseball/softball, bowling, karate, roller sports, sports climbing, squash, surfing and martial arts.

Both softball and baseball -- which are combined in the nomination list -- are hugely popular in Japan, where professional teams are avidly followed. The sports last featured at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The eight sports have been picked from a long list of 26 that Tokyo 2020 organisers released earlier this month. They included tug of war, polo and the World Underwater Federation -- which oversees sports such as free diving, spearfishing and submerged hockey -- as well as billiards and American football.