(ATR) Bobsleigh could debut at the 2022 Paralympics if it meets requirements set out by the International Paralympic Committee.
The sport was provisionally accepted into the 2022 Winter Paralympic program late Monday at the IPC’s governing board meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Bobsleigh was one of two sports applying to join the program. Skeleton was rejected by the board because it failed to meet the minimum criteria to join the Paralympics program.
To be fully accepted, bobsleigh must host six World Cup races and World Championship during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. A minimum of 12 countries from three regions must participate in each season.
IPC president Philip Craven said he was optimistic about bobsleigh’s inclusion, calling it a "young and growing sport".
He said the sport will be a welcome addition to the Winter Paralympics once all the criteria are met. In Beijing bobsleigh would join Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, ice sledge hockey, snowboard and wheelchair curling on the Paralympic program.
If bobsleigh fulfills the necessary criteria, final approval is still needed from the IOC and Beijing 2022 to formally add the sport.
Tokyo 2020 Venue Finalized
Five-a-side football has a home for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
The IPC governing board selected a site in the Aomi neighborhood of Tokyo to host the sport at the 2020 Paralympics. Tokyo 2020 CEOToshiro Muto confirmed the site’s provisional selection in a statement.
The International Blind Sport Federation recommended the site to the IPC, giving its full approval on Aug. 29. The same site is in consideration to host skateboarding and sport climbing at the Tokyo Olympics.
"We will continue to conduct our Games preparations in line with our ‘athlete-first’ concept to ensure that we are able to provide the optimal environment for all athletes to perform to the peak of their abilities," Muto said.
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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