Within minutes of the IOC announcing on Wednesday the inclusion of Surfing, along with Skateboarding, Baseball/Softball, and Sports Climbing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics it was all over the Internet.
“We know the hard work does not stop here. We look forward with great enthusiasm and energy to working in partnership with the IOC and Tokyo 2020 as we aim to make Surfing’s Olympic debut a resounding success.”
In Australia where so many either go surfing, watch surfing, or pull on a range of surf gear to dive into other sports, those who were right then competing at the Australian Surf Titles at Coffs could be seen form Sydney, dancing all over the sand as well as the waves. Mick Fanning is reported to have immediately stuck his hand up for a coaching position, Sally Fitzgibbons realised a long-held dream of a Gold medal in her sport may be possible, while Patron of Surfing NSW, and Premier of NSW, Mike Baird, a surfer himself and advocate for the inclusion of the sport, welcomed the news.
Fernando Aguerre, President of the International Surfing Association said after the announcement was made,
“After decades of hard work and dedication we are absolutely thrilled that Surfing will officially join the Olympic Sports Program at Tokyo 2020. Our Olympic dream has now become a reality and on behalf of the entire Surfing family I would like to express our sincere thanks to the IOC and Tokyo 2020 for their pioneering vision in making this historic decision possible.
“This is a game-changing moment for Surfing. We are already seeing increased popularity of the sport across the world and the Olympic Games will provide an incredible platform to further showcase Surfing and its core values. With its unique and modern blend of sport performance, style and youth culture, Surfing will help deliver something special to the Games.
“We are especially stoked for the athletes who now have their own dream to shoot for – to compete for their countries on the greatest sporting stage. We can’t wait to see the world’s best going head to head on the waves in Tokyo and millions of Surfing fans revelling in the competition and the fantastic festival atmosphere of the beach party.
“We know the hard work does not stop here. We look forward with great enthusiasm and energy to working in partnership with the IOC and Tokyo 2020 as we aim to make Surfing’s Olympic debut a resounding success.”The dream of having surfing in the Olympics goes back even further if you take into account the wishes of former Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku a Gold medallist in the 100 metres freestyle at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and Gold again in the same event in Antwerp in 1920, this time adding an extra Gold in the relay. The gentleman credited with introducing surfing to Australia wrote in his book Duke Kahanamoku’s World of Surfing,
“Even as early as that day (1918), I was already thinking of surfing in terms of how, one day, it could become one of the events in the Olympic games. Why not? Skiing and diving have taken their rightful place as official Games events. I still believe surfing will one day be recognized, voted in, and accepted.”
You can just see grommets already taking to the tomorrow's waves with even more abandon and determination...if that's possible.
The questions that follow, are 'how many' and 'where' and 'what will be the selection criteria'?
Although it's early days yet, Surfing, with 20 men and 20 women athletes, will take place in the sea, instead of on artificial waves.
The IOC has two principles for Olympic qualification; geographic universality and showcasing the best athletes.
As for that other sport well favoured here, Skateboarding, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics events, at this stage, will be split into two divisions — park and street — with male and female competitors in both disciplines, and the top 20 male and top 20 female riders will compete in each division.
Duke Kahanamoku Sitting with his brother Sam, Bronze medallist in the 100 metres freestyle at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Duke Kahanamoku, ca.1915, original postcard : b&w courtesy John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, Image No: picqld-2006-06-05-12-29