Baseball, Softball Among Sports Approved by IOC for 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Baseball and softball will be making their triumphant returns to the Olympics in 2020 after the International Olympic Committee approved those sports and four others for inclusion. 

The World Baseball Softball Confederation tweeted out that baseball and softball will be played at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. According to CNBC Now, the IOC also approved skateboarding, surfing, sports climbing and karate. 

Baseball and softball have not been part of the Summer Olympics since 2008, when South Korea (baseball) and Japan (softball) won gold medals in Beijing. 

Bringing baseball back for the 2020 Olympics made sense because it is among the most popular sports in Japan. 

However, there is a conflict with the Olympics and Major League Baseball that has made it difficult for many of the world's best players to take part in the Olympics the way NBA players do. The MLB season is entering its stretch run when the Summer Games begin. 

Speaking to the Associated Press in June (via MLive.com), Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant admitted he would have conflicted feelings: "I wore 'USA' across my chest one time in college, and it was an awesome experience. But baseball season's so long the way it is. You play 162 games and to add another two weeks, I don't know if it would be the best decision for ourselves and our bodies."

Per the AP report, the MLB season has little flexibility with its schedule to accommodate the Olympics "unless owners and the players' association are willing to cut games—and lose revenue."

Softball was made an Olympic sport in 1996 with the United States winning three straight gold medals before Japan ended that streak in 2008. 

Karate has Japanese origins, so it's a natural fit to make its Olympic debut in 2020. Surfing and skateboarding will presumably help to attract younger athletes and viewers to keep growing the Olympics. 

The inclusion of six different sports in the 2020 Olympics speaks to the number of unique and diverse athletes all over the world. Being able to include more of these disciplines will only help increase the popularity of the Games in the future.