IOC approves 5 new sports for Tokyo 2020, including baseball/softball

The IOC has approved five new sports for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Baseball and softball will return to the games along with karate, skateboarding, sports climbing, and surfing.

Tokyo 2020 will mark the first time since 2008 that baseball and softball will be at the games, while skateboarding and sports climbing are being added for the first time in an effort to engage younger audiences.

"The inclusion of the package of new sports will afford young athletes the chance of a lifetime to realize their dreams of competing in the Olympic Games - the world's greatest sporting stage - and inspire them to achieve their best, both in sport and in life," said Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori.

Surfing and karate will also make their Olympic debuts, as the games continue to diversify the roster of sports. The IOC also made it clear the decisions were made with the "impact on gender equality" in mind.