Climbing, surfing and roller sports are among eight sports left in contention to feature in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has shortlisted the following IOC-recognised International Federations (IFs) proposing events to be considered for inclusion in the Games: World Baseball Softball Confederation; World Bowling; World Karate Federation; International Roller Sports Federation; International Federation of Sport Climbing; World Squash Federation; International Surfing Association; and the International Wushu Federation.

The organising committee will propose one or more of events proposed by these eight federations. The primary selection criteria are that the additional events must “serve as a driving force to promote the Olympic Movement and its values, with a focus on youth appeal” and “add value to the Games by engaging the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide, reflecting the Tokyo 2020 Games vision.”

The following sports are no longer in contention: air sports; American football; billiards; bowls; bridge; chess; dancesport; floorball; flying disc; korfball; netball; orienteering; polo; racquetball; sumo; tug war; underwater sports; waterski and wakeboard.

In the next phase of the process, the shortlisted federations are invited to submit further details by 22 July 2015. The organising committee will interview the federations in Tokyo on 7-8 August 2015 before make a decision on which event(s) to propose to the IOC in September 2015. 

Since the IOC’s approval of Olympic Agenda 2020 last December, hosts of the Games are able to propose one or more events to add to the IOC’s sports programme.

The final decision will be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

The organising committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games revealed on Friday that 26 international federations (IFs) are bidding for inclusion, with sports ranging from American football, baseball and karate to surfing, bridge and flying disc. 

Tokyo 2020 said the additional events must “serve as a driving force to promote the Olympic Movement and its values, with a focus on youth appeal,” and “add value to the Games by engaging the Japanese population and new audiences worldwide, reflecting the Tokyo 2020 Games vision.”

Since the IOC’s approval of Olympic Agenda 2020 last December, hosts of the Games are able to propose one or more additional events to add to the sports programme – much like the process employed by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Applications for the additional events opened on 8th of May with a deadline of 8th June. The long list of 26 applicants was revealed after an Executive Board meeting on Tuesday 12th June.

The applicant IFs represent the following sports: air sports; American football; baseball softball; billiards; bowls; bowling; bridge; chess; dancesport; floorball; flying disc; karate; korfball; netball; orienteering; polo; racquetball; roller sports; climbing; squash; sumo; surfing; tug war; underwater sports; waterski and wakeboard; and wushu.

The applications will now be reviewed by the seven Japanese members of Tokyo 2020’s “Additional Event Programme Panel” and a shortlist will be announced on 22 June 2015.

The shortlisted will then submit further details and make a presentation to the Additional Event Programme Panel, who will then propose its recommendations to the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, which will decide on the events to be proposed to the IOC. 

The final decision will be made the IOC at its 129th Session in Rio in August 2016.

Paris officially launched its long anticipated bid for the 2024 Games on Tuesday, with a message of strong backing from the state and the public. 

The leaders of the bid also said a referendum was unlikely to be required. 

In its bid to host the Games, Paris is competing against Boston and Hamburg, which both face public referendums in order to progress their bids, as well as Rome and a likely bid from Budapest and other potential contenders including Baku and Doha.

“We are all very much motivated and enthusiastic to be able to achieve unanimity in this ambition to make Paris an Olympic and Paralympic city in 2024,” said bid committee chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“Bidding for the Games is a unique and exciting project for a country. This is an ambitious project that goes beyond sport, as its reach is global and significant impact at all levels and for the whole country.

“As we move forward with our bid, it is very pleasing to see today that we already have the full support of the city, regional and national governments as well as the CNOSF and the French sports movement – it is wonderful to also receive significant public support and real backing from our athletes.”

Lapasset added that the bid would “excite, unite and enthuse the people of Paris, our entire nation and lovers of Olympic and Paralympic sport all over the world.”

Asked by Le Monde after the launch if there would be a referendum on the bid, Lapasset said “I don’t think there will be one.”

This position was backed up by Etienne Thobois, chief executive of Paris 2024 bid committee who told media: “As of today there is no plan for a referendum at this stage.”

Lapasset and Thobois reportedly both stressed that public consultation will be crucial as the bid progresses. 

The bid committee drew attention to France’s current form in hosting major sports events, which includes the World Rowing Championships and the Basketball European Championships in 2015, EURO 2016, the World Handball Championships in 2017 and the Ryder Cup in 2018.

2024 marks the centenary of the last and only time Paris has hosted the Olympic Games, in 1924.  The city unsuccessfully bid for the Games in 1992, 2008 and 2012. 

But Thobois said “We are looking forward, we are not looking backwards… we are into Agenda 2020, not Agenda 1920.”

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said Paris was “looking forward to an exciting and bold future whilst remaining true to its rich sporting and cultural traditions.

“We aim to highlight the unity and the solidarity of a cosmopolitan city, which I am sure will be one of the key strengths to win.”

The host city of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be elected by IOC members in a secret ballot at the body’s 130th Session in the Peruvian capital of Lima in September 2017.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Evaluation Commission has recommended that the CGF General Assembly votes for Durban, the sole bidder for the 2022 Games, on 2 September, but that the Host City contract should not be signed until a “critical” financial guarantee is provided.

On publication of the CGF Evaluation Commission Report on Monday, commission Chair Louise Martin said “We are 95% there, and very close to the finish line. We thank our colleagues in Durban and South Africa for their passion, ambition and assurances that many of our comments and requirements will be actioned in time for the vote.

“It is our recommendation that the CGF General Assembly votes to award the 2022 Commonwealth Games to the Host City of Durban, South Africa, but subject to the final and timely delivery of a limited number of outstanding Host City Contract requirements”.

The report described Durban 2022 as an “attractive proposition for the Commonwealth Games” with “long-term development plans that the Commonwealth Games can actively reinforce… Importantly, Durban presents the opportunity for the Commonwealth Games to be hosted in the continent of Africa for the first time… One of the most powerful propositions presented in the Durban 2022 bid is the opportunity for a far-reaching legacy aligned with existing long term development plans of the South African Government and the City of Durban.”

However, the report said it was “critical” that a financial guarantee must be in place before a Host City contract is signed.

“The guarantee covering a potential financial shortfall was not received at the time the Report was finalised, but is expected to be submitted before the General Assembly. This is a critical requirement,” the report stated. 

"The Bid Committee is continuing to work across the three levels of government to secure the guarantee and has advised that the requirement will be achieved. The Ministerial support enjoyed by the bid is also noted. 

“However, should this guarantee not be received prior to the CGF General Assembly, it is recommended the signing of the Host City Contract be deferred until the Guarantee is provided.”

The commission proposed that this must be resolved within 90 days of the General Assembly. 

The report praised SASCOC’s leaders in gaining “strong engagement from and the support of the three levels of government (city, province and national)”, but said the formation of a cross-government committee is essential. 

“The critical coordination role anticipated for the proposed (but not currently constituted) Inter-Ministerial Committee needs to be enabled by an effective cross-government delivery coordination entity, with a focus on integration of government and city support for the Games and the assurance of legacy programmes,” the report said.

“This should be supported by a clearly-defined set of roles and responsibilities for the various government departments, public authorities and other entities that will have a role in the planning and delivery of the Games.”

The commission proposed that this issue be resolved within 180 days of Durban’s appointment as Host City, along with clarification of “integrated development and financing arrangements to ensure delivery of all venues”.

The report also laid down requirements concerning the athletes village. “Delivery obligations, land ownership and funding arrangements need to be fully documented to remove any risk for the future Organising Committee… Durban 2022 is required to confirm to the CGF that the Village design principles and standard of amenity required by the CGF will be met… within 180 days of appointment as Host City.” 

The report also commends and highlights the many positive impacts of Durban’s bid for the Games. 

“Durban’s vision supports and contributes to South Africa’s 2030 National Development Plan and is rooted in the desire to engage citizens (especially young people), athletes and the Commonwealth,” the CGF said in a press release.

“The Games concept features a compact venue plan centred around the sporting super-precinct of the Moses Mabhida Stadium and adjacent coastline, providing excellent opportunities for innovative sport presentation and enhanced athlete experience.”

The report acknowledged that “the CGF should provide more direct and active support for Durban 2022” in line with the CGF’s Transformation 2022 objectives. 

The CGF resolved to “By Q2 2016, and enshrined in the 2022 Host City Contact, establish a Games Delivery Partnership model that positions the CGF and Host CGAs as delivery partners and supports financial, operational and reputational efficiencies and outcomes”.

Formula E Holdings are to stage a demonstration event in central Tokyo in the run up to its second season, motorsport.com reported on Wednesday.

The news follows statements made by CEO Alejandra Agag to HOST CITY at the London Championship in June that Formula E plans to add another Asian city to its calendar, along with other new host cities. 

“We are looking at another race in Asia – and we would like to race in the Middle East,” Agag told HOST CITY at a press conference in Battersea Park hosted by logistics partner DHL. 

“We are looking at a race in Switzerland because there is a change in law which means we can race there.”

Cities around the world are expressing an interest in hosting Formula E, he said. 

“We have probably over 200 cities that have asked. It is not the same thing when you tell them what you have to do, this is what it’s going to cost you, the implications and so on – then it filters down. There are some cities that really want it and others that are just asking to see how it works. 

“Realistically we will add five or six new more races in three of four years.

“We’ve been in discussions with DHL to figure out the logistics; we want to reduce the carbon footprint of the championship and we want to go to new locations.”

At the FIA World Motor Sport Council in July, Paris was added and Miami dropped from the Formula E calendar for the 2015/2016 season. Other cities confirmed were Putrajaya (Malaysia), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Long Beach (USA), Berlin (Germany), Moscow (Russia) and London (UK).

The host of a race on March 16 remains unconfirmed, with Mexico City said to be the most likely candidate.

“In Mexico there are very high chances. We will have to bring it to the World Council and the local federations and so on,” Agag told HOST CITY before the World Council meeting.

The test event in Tokyo will help to build Formula E’s reach in Japan, where Aguri Suzuki heads up Team Amlin Aguri in the championships. The country is also a leader in automotive and green technology.

Formula E has a multi-year broadcasting partnership with Japanese broadcaster Asahi, which released viewing figures of 15 million for the opening four races of the 2014/2015 season.

The World Education Congress (WEC) will be held in Las Vegas in 2017, followed by Indianapolis in 2018 and Toronto in 2019, the event’s owner Meeting Professionals International (MPI) said on Monday. 

The host cities were allocated through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process that considers factors such as location benefits, meeting venue facilities, pricing, hotel offerings, destination accessibility, unique options and local support.

"We are excited about each of these destinations and believe WEC attendees will enjoy them as well," said Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI during the opening general session of WEC 2015 in San Francisco.

"Each year, MPI strives to enhance the education and programming we deliver at WEC, so we look forward to working with our host city partners to enrich the attendee experience in the coming years."

MPI describes WEC as its signature event through which it delivers education, business and networking opportunities in North America, attracting more than 2,000 attendees including corporate, third party, and association planners, suppliers, students, industry faculty and more. 

From 2016, MPI will hold WEC during the June to early July timeframe, following membership feedback regarding scheduling conflicts with summer vacation plans, school breaks, Canada's Civic Holiday, and other industry events. 

The host of WEC 2016 will take place June 11 – 14, at the Harrah's Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City, N.J.

From July 9 – 12 2017, WEC will be held in Las Vegas for the fourth time at the MGM Grand. Las Vegas welcomed a record 41 million visitors including five million convention delegates last year. 

"We are honored to host WEC 2017 and excited to showcase the energy and excitement only Las Vegas can deliver," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. 

"There's a reason Las Vegas hosts more than 22,000 meetings a year. We offer an exceptional experience for delegates allowing them to conduct serious business and networking while also enjoying world class dining and entertainment found nowhere else."

On June 2 – 5 2018, WEC will be held at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis for the first time. Named America’s top convention city by the readers of USA Today, Indy offers a convention package unmatched in walkability and the number of hotels and hotel rooms connected by enclosed skywalks. 

"Indy has a well-earned reputation as a great event city, having hosted Super Bowl XLVI, numerous NCAA Men's Final Fours and, of course, the Indy 500, but it's also one of the fastest-growing convention and meeting destinations in the world," said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy. 

"As a first-time host of WEC, we're looking forward to welcoming many old friends and also introducing new ones to Indy."

From June 11 – 14 2019, WEC will go to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre located in downtown Toronto, the fourth largest city in North America. Toronto attracted 14.3 million overnight visitors in 2014.

"Our community looks forward to welcoming back MPI and its partners for another exceptional international meeting," said Andrew Weir, Executive Vice President of Tourism Toronto. 

"When World Education Congress brings the leaders of our industry together in Toronto, attendees will find inspiration both in the content of the meeting and the surrounding city experience."

The world governing body for basketball announced on its YouTube channel on Friday that China will host the 2019 FIBA World Cup, after the country’s bid leader said basketball could become the world’s most popular sport. 

China’s bid was selected ahead of a rival proposal from The Philippines. 

The 2019 FIBA World Cup will incorporate more host cities than ever, FIBA said, with Beijing, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Suzhou and Wuhan all set to host games. 

Beijing will host all games from the quarter finals to the final, in addition to some group games.

New venues will be built in Foshan and Suzhou to accommodate the tournament. 

The decision will enable FIBA to build on a strong presence for the sport in China. 

"At least 300 million people play basketball in China and if we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can increase that participation,” said Zhang Jiandong, Vice Mayor of Beijing and Chairman of the China 2019 bid committee.

“China is the most populous country in the world and we can make basketball the most popular sport in the world. We believe that we can make the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup a complete success because of China's economic stability, strong financial guarantee and the government's complete support. We can make it a safe, most reliable and risk-free event."

Basketball is already the most popular sport in The Philippines, according to Manuel V Pangilinan, President of the Philippines Basketball Association.

"Ninety percent of the population play, watch or follow the sport in one way or another,” he said. “It's not just Filipinos in the Philippines that are passionate about the sport. It's Filipinos all over the world. Football may be number one in many places around the world, but basketball is number one in the Philippines."

Manny Pacquiao, Philippines Congressman and eight-time world boxing champion said "I am a boxer but I am here because I love basketball so that tells you the passion that Filipinos have for basketball. If we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can show that passion to the world."

Asked to compare enthusiasm for the sport between the two countries, Chinese basketball star Yao Ming said "You can't say that one type of love is better than the other. Both are great. Both countries have a great passion for basketball, particularly for FIBA basketball."

Gao Zhidan, Vice-President of the Chinese Olympic Committee said: "Basketball is very popular in China and if we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can foresee a great rise in that popularity. This will have a great impact on the professional league (CBA) as well as the university league which is developing very fast. It will help with our aim to train more athletes and get a bigger pool of talented players."

Papau New Guineau is aiming to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026, the country’s president Vidhya Lakhan announced at the close of the Pacific Games in Port Moresby on Saturday. 

"Can Papua New Guinea host a Commonwealth Games?" he asked a cheering audience at the closing ceremony, adding “Yes, together we can!”

The Commonwealth Games is usually hosted in a single city, with only a small number of events hosted outside the city. 

Lakhan said a bid from Papua New Guinea would involve the rest of the nation more widely than in previous Commonwealth Games.

"Papua New Guinea must bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games here in Port Moresby, and at venues around the country," he said.

With the exception of Delhi in 2010 and Kuala Lumpur in 1998, Commonwealth Games have historically been hosted in the cities of the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 

The South African city of Durban is set to be awarded the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Under the new leadership of David Grevemberg, the Commonwealth Games Federation is engaging with cities in the wider Commonwealth that are aspiring to host the Games. 

The Pacific Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event administered by the National Olympic Committees of the islands and territories of the Pacific community. 

David Grevemberg is speaking about “How Cities and Events Innovate to Thrive” at HOST CITY 2015 on November 9th and 10th in Glasgow.

On his first visit to New Zealand on Tuesday, president Thomas Bach said the IOC is ready to look into a wider range of potential host nations – including New Zealand.

“You cannot restrict the right to host the Olympics to just 20 countries”, he said at a press conference.

“The Olympic Games are universal and we should open doors and windows. If New Zealand is ready to look into it, we are ready.”

He also said the changes brought about by Olympic Agenda 2020 encouraged countries to think about how the Olympic Games could fit into the social, economic, environmental and sporting needs of a country.

Bach was visiting to open the new National Olympic Committee headquarters in Auckland, where he was welcomed with a traditional “powhiri” welcome ceremony.

“Like the Olympic Movement, the welcome ceremony signifies peace, friendship and equality, and it shows how New Zealanders embrace the same values we do of tolerance and understanding through sport”, he said.

He was greeted by IOC Members Barry Maister – who is also tourism director at Destination Marlborough, and Barbara Kendall, who is also vice president of the International Surfing Association.

He also met with Minister for Sport and Health, Dr Jonathan Coleman, as well as members of the National Olympic Committee and national sports federations.

On Wednesday, Bach visited athletes at the Rowing New Zealand High Performance Centre in Cambridge, and after a visit to the local school he went on to the Avantidrome home of New Zealand Cycling, where he met a number of New Zealand Olympic medallists and hopefuls for next year's Games in Rio de Janeiro.

President Bach discussed discussed Rio 2016, changes to the sports programme and the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms with a group of 20 New Zealand athletes at the Avantidrome.

As Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) celebrates its 10th birthday on Friday, the bureau revealed that major events secured, supported or managed by GCMB in collaboration with city partners over the past decade have injected nearly £230 million into Glasgow’s economy; attracting 4.6 million attendances.

During the past 10 years Glasgow has welcomed some of the biggest events and brands in the world to the city, from the Commonwealth Games, UEFA Cup Final and the World Irish Dancing Championships to Olympic football and the torch relay, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA).

“The decision to bring MTV’s most prestigious international awards show, the EMA, to Glasgow in 2014 was the culmination of several years working with the city,” said Bob Bakish, President and CEO of MTV’s global parent company, Viacom International Media Networks.

“Throughout that time we found Glasgow’s dedicated team to be a fantastic partner to work with – forward-thinking, creative and flexible, with a good understanding of how they can best contribute to the successful staging of major events.”

The legacy of last year’s Commonwealth Games will bring a number of coveted major events to Glasgow in the coming years, extending the city’s world-class sporting and cultural events portfolio until 2020. 

These include the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships; 2015 Turner Prize; 2015 British Athletics International; 2016 World Irish Dancing Championships; 2016 Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art; 2018 World Irish Dancing Championships; 2018 European Swimming Championships; 2020 World Men’s Curling Championships and UEFA Euro 2020.

“Glasgow’s continued success in delivering major gymnastics events is attributable to their unique ‘one Glasgow’ approach, which encourages partners, like British Gymnastics, to work in collaboration to deliver successful events, said Jane Allen, CEO of British Gymnastics.

“Glasgow’s willingness to strategically work with British Gymnastics over many years was instrumental in winning the bid to stage the prestigious 2015 World Gymnastics Championships – an Olympic qualification event – in the city later this year.”

Glasgow’s ability to attract the very best major events was further demonstrated recently with the announcement that the city will co-host the inaugural, multi-sport European Sports Championships with Berlin in 2018, following a decision by some of Europe’s top sports to bring together their prestigious European Championships for the first time, including cycling, swimming and athletics.

The event, which will attract a projected TV audience of around 850 million, will see nearly 3,000 athletes travel to Scotland in the summer of 2018 as part of a total delegation of around 8,200 including officials, media and others.

All these events are underpinned by a diverse range of year-round events held in Glasgow – from Celtic Connections, Glasgow Film Festival and Glasgow International Comedy Festival to the Merchant City Festival, Piping Live and the World Pipe Band Championships and more.

Glasgow’s investment of some £300 million in state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the SSE Hydro and the Emirates Arena, has extended the city’s world-class venue offering and capacity. 

“In its first year the SSE Hydro delivered an economic impact of £131 million and celebrated being the second busiest arena in the world,” said John Langford, Director of Live Entertainment at The SSE Hydro. “GCMB plays a pivotal role in supporting this success, through the development of world class content and tirelessly spreading the Glasgow gospel!”

A new “Major Events Charter”, launched after the Commonwealth Games, has further strengthened the city’s reputation for winning and delivering major events. This refreshed charter guarantees the provision of exceptional support for major events coming to the city – with Glasgow the only destination in Europe to make this promise to global event organisers. 

HOST CITY 2015, the largest meeting of cities and cross-sector events in the EU, is taking place in Glasgow on 9th and 10th November.

“Glasgow is a city with a sense of self belief that oozes confidence. We’ve been through a rite of passage, overcoming industrial decline and reinventing our economy to become a leading example of city regeneration,” said Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

“A real strength has been the resilience of our tourism sector and, more specifically, our strategy of attracting a diverse portfolio of major sporting and cultural events coupled with significant investment in new world-class venues.

“We have the infrastructure, the skills and expertise, and above all the friendliness, energy and can-do attitude of the people of Glasgow, which makes this city the complete package.

“In an increasingly competitive global events market, Glasgow is now firmly established as a major player with a hugely ambitious events industry and we will continue to punch above our weight for many years to come.”