Seven aspiring sports took one step closer to Olympic status after being provisionally recognised by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

The first events to receive the new “Observer Status” are: the World Armwrestling Federation; World Dodgeball Association; Federation of International FootGolf; International Union of Kettlebell Lifting; International Federation of (Match) Poker; International Pole Sports Federation; and International Table Soccer Federation.

The historic decision means each event is now provisionally recognised as a sport on the international stage, allowing their federations to apply for full GAISF membership and recognition by the National Olympic Committees.

The sports will gain access to the GAISF network, forums and 109 member federations, as well as support becoming WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) compliant.

“We’ll do everything within our remit to help them realise their full potential as International Federations (IFs) within the global sport’s family and, one day, maybe become part of the Olympic programme,” said Patrick Baumann, president of the GAISF.

“The new sports debuting at Tokyo 2020 and at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympics are evidence that the pathway is there.”

Tokyo 2020 will see the debuts of squash, baseball and wrestling. The Buenos Aires Youth Olympics will, for the first time, include BMX freestyle, kitesurfing, cross-country running, beach handball, sport climbing, karate, breakdancing and roller sports.

Antonio Espinos, chairman of the Membership Commission, added: “GAISF supports a diverse and evolving sports eco system and the newly created Observer Status is central to this.

“Sport is constantly evolving, mirroring the world we live in and the Observer Status provides the opening many IFs representing new sports require to enable them to gain legitimacy and flourish.”