As of this week, surfing and skateboarding have been officially confirmed as Olympic sports, along with karate, baseball, climbing, and softball. The International Olympic Committee announced this in Rio de Janeiro. We'll be able to see them participate for the first time in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
We're focused on surfing and skateboarding. And that's what we're going to talk about.
It will be a historic moment when we see surfers of the caliber of John John Florence, Mick Fanning, Gabriel Medina compete. Spaniards like Aritz Aranburu, pictured here, who this year we have seen take his professional career to the next level.
In the women's competition, we'll be keeping a close eye on the youngsters Tyler Wright, Johanne Defay, and the world-renowned Stephanie Gilmore.
And in the case of skateboarding, we believe that one of the sure bets will be Pedro Barros, a bowling expert like the Spaniard Jamie Mateu, who, as you can see in this photo, is coming on strong.
Others we wouldn't rule out would be Nyjah Huston, a module expert like Chaz Ortiz. And in the case of the women, we're sure Leticia Bufoni will compete with the style of the competition.
Although these are just a few of the pros we have in mind, there will surely be more than one surprise. There is still an open debate in which many questions remain to be clarified. And not just with the participants. But at the regulation level, in skateboarding, it's easier to plan a competition like we recently saw at the XGames and the VansUsOpen, where complete modules are installed anywhere. 
But what about surfing? There aren't waves in every city hosting the Olympic Games. Will they plan to install artificial wave pools? Like we recently saw Kelly Slater do with her Wave Company?
*Source (Saturday Super Session from Kelly Slater Wave Co on Vimeo.)
We had many doubts about the question: Will surfing and skateboarding be Olympic sports in Tokyo 2020? And yes, it's been confirmed. Although many of you probably haven't even considered this possibility. And not because we don't value them as sports, but because we see them more as a lifestyle.
Surfing and skateboarding have always been characterized by their free spirit and individualism. Free from limitations and restrictions, that's how we feel about these two passions. Both sports have seen an exponential increase in the number of participants over the last decade. Surfing and skateboarding are in fashion, and this has been reflected in the volume of participation and awareness .
Both sports have unconditional support
As Fernando Aguerre, President of the International Surfing Association, said, “Surfing has an incredible and growing appeal, particularly among young people, and we believe the dynamic energy of the sport and its global fan base would be highly beneficial for Tokyo 2020 and the Games.”
And Tony Hawk, skateboarding legend , also defended the idea, in statements to TIME magazine, he has positioned himself in favor of including this sport in the Olympics.
“It's not only a great opportunity for skateboarding and skaters, but also for the Games.” Therefore, Hawk continues, “Now it's more important than ever to maintain the skater culture that makes our sport so important and attractive.”
We'll be keeping up with all the news and will keep you updated. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy them on the open sea and in the streets, where both sports originated!
Sources: RedBull images, Baypins , Slabcomany
