| Factor | Skateboarding & Climbing (New Olympic) | Traditional Olympic Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Era added | 2020 onward | Long-established |
| Audience | Youth, urban | Broad |
| Culture | Lifestyle/urban | Traditional sporting |
| Examples | Skateboarding, climbing, surfing, breaking | Athletics, swimming, gymnastics |
| IOC goal | Attract younger viewers | Core Olympic programme |
Choose Skateboarding & Climbing (New Olympic) when…
You're drawn to the energy and culture of skateboarding, climbing, surfing or breaking, enjoy the lifestyle-sport scene, or like the fresh, youth-focused additions.
Choose Traditional Olympic Sports when…
You follow the classic Olympic disciplines with deep history, value the established competitive infrastructure, or are drawn to the traditional pursuit of measured excellence.
Gear for both
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
Why has the Olympics added sports like skateboarding and breaking?
The IOC has sought to attract younger audiences and keep the Games relevant by adding youth-focused, urban and lifestyle sports — skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and BMX freestyle (Tokyo 2020) and breaking (Paris 2024). These bring fresh energy and culture while the traditional sports retain the Games' historic core.
Which sports were added to the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Breaking (breakdancing) was added for Paris 2024 as a temporary sport. Skateboarding, surfing, sport climbing, and 3x3 basketball — all added for Tokyo 2020 — continued in Paris. The IOC regularly reviews the programme and adds sports that increase youth engagement and global appeal. Sports can be added for a single Games without guaranteed continuation.
What criteria does the IOC use to add sports to the Olympics?
Key criteria include: the sport must be widely practised (in many countries and by both sexes), governed by an IOC-recognised international federation, and comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. The IOC also considers: television appeal and youth relevance, fit with the host city (urban sports for urban venues), the cost of adding venues and logistics, and the overall programme size. The IOC limits the Summer Games to approximately 10,500 athletes.