Baseball and softball head shortlist for Tokyo 2020

Baseball and softball top the shortlist of sports competing for spots as additional attractions at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, along with the homegrown favorite, karate, organizers said on Monday.

Bowling, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, surfing and wushu are also included among the final eight, whittled down by a committee from 26 sports that applied for inclusion earlier this month.

Under reforms initiated by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach last year, Games hosts have the chance to bring in one or more sports popular in their country to boost ratings and attract increased sponsorship.