Int'l Surfing Association President Fernando Aguerre said that the ISA is "confident the sport's Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games will be a success despite some minor concerns over conditions," according to Hardik Vyas of REUTERS. The surfing competition will take place from July 24-Aug. 9 at Ichinomiya's Tsurigasaki Beach instead of on artificial waves, "leading to the fears that waves in the summer months may not be sufficient for the competition." Aguerre, however, "believes advanced weather forecasts will help the ISA organise the competition efficiently." Aguerre said, "We have a 10-year history of the place -- the surfing direction, size, swirl, wind, everything, so we're not surprised about how it's going to be" (REUTERS, 4/6).
WALKING OUT: In Dublin, Ian O'Riordan reported the 50km race walk is "in danger of being removed" from the athletics program from next year. The IAAF will later this month vote on several amendments to its competition structures, "including the removal of the 50km walk from all major competitions" such as the World Championships and Olympics. A single half marathon distance (21.5km) will instead become the only walking distance, "clearly favouring those who compete in the existing shorter 20km race." The IAAF vote is set for April 14, and if passed, "will see the 50km walk discontinued" after the World Cup in May '18. As things stand, the 50km walk is "also the only event left on the athletics programme where the women do not compete, and instead race over 20km only" (IRISH TIMES, 4/5).
