Belinda Wheaton and Holly Thorpe are Waikato University researchers who've been commissioned by the IOC to find out the youth perceptions of the Games. Olympic organisers are trying to turn around diminishing numbers of youth viewers. The IOC is already considering including surfing in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, but is considering whether more lifestyle sports, such as skateboarding and parkour should be included. Dr Wheaton and Dr Thorpe will conduct research across five continents over the coming year before making recommendations to the IOC.
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