The changes approved by the Executive Board include the following:

Women’s Boxing

The EB agreed to the introduction of three women’s events. The current 11 men’s boxing events will be replaced by 10 men’s and three women’s events, representing an additional two boxing events on the programme. The total number of boxers remains unchanged. The decision was a recognition that women’s boxing has made substantial progress in universality and technical quality of the athletes since the EB last considered the discipline in 2005.

Canoe Sprint

The EB agreed to the request made by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) for the replacement of men’s C2 500m with women’s K1 200m. The EB also agreed to replace the remaining three men’s 500m sprint events with 200m sprint events.

Modern Pentathlon

The EB agreed to the implementation of a new combined run-shoot format.

Handball

The removal of placement matches in the handball tournament was agreed.

Wrestling, Swimming, Cycling

The three Federations (FILA, FINA, and UCI respectively) submitted requests for new events. The EB informed them that this could happen, especially if the new events increase the participation of women at the Games and on condition that they replace events already on the programme. Additionally, current events can be replaced with new ones only if the total number of athletes is maintained.

Tennis – Mixed Doubles

Furthermore, the EB agreed to consider the inclusion of a mixed doubles event pending guarantees from the International Tennis Federation that the top players in the singles rankings would be able to participate.

The EB will make a decision on the issue at its December meeting in Lausanne.

Greece was the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. In 2004, the Olympic Games returned to their origins when Athens hosted the Olympiad.

Lost in the mists of time, the origins of the Olympic Games are generally attributed to the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece, who relished contests of speed and strength. Legends abound as to the origins of the Games. It is said that, after diverting the course of the River Alpheus, Heracles organized a race with his four brothers, and presented the winner with an olive wreath.