Wrestling, squash and baseball/softball shortlisted for inclusion in 2020 Olympic Games

Karate, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding and wushu miss out

Wrestling at the London 2012 Olympics (GETTY IMAGES)

The International Olympic Committee's executive board has agreed that wrestling, squash and baseball/softball will be on a shortlist of sports to be considered for inclusion in the sports programme for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The board selected the three sports by secret ballot from a shortlist of eight which also included karate, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding and wushu.

The full IOC membership will vote on which of the three sports to add to the programme of the Games in Buenos Aires from September 7-10.

The IOC executive board vote followed 30-minute presentations by each international federation and an extensive evaluation by the Olympic programme commission to determine their potential added value to the Games.

Whichever sport succeeds in the September vote will be added to the 25 core sports, plus golf and rugby sevens, proposed by the executive board in February.

"The executive board received excellent presentations today from eight international federations," said IOC president Jacques Rogge.

"It was never going to be an easy decision but I feel my colleagues on the board made a good decision in selecting baseball/softball, squash and wrestling to be put forward in Buenos Aires.

"I wish the three shortlisted sports the best of luck in the run-up to the vote in September and would like to thank the other sports for their hard work and dedication."

In an effort to ensure the Olympic Games remains relevant to sports fans of all generations, the Olympic programme commission systematically reviews every sport following each edition of the Games.

The commission uses 39 criteria in determining a sport's suitability for the Olympic Games, including youth appeal, universality, popularity, good governance, respect for athletes and respect for the Olympic values.

Golf and rugby sevens were added in 2009 as additional sports to the 2016 Olympic programme.

PA