2020 Tokyo Olympics

International weightlifters to use 2019 Pacific Games as Olympic qualifiers

Director General of the International Weightlifting Federation, Attila Adamif says most of them plan to use the games as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

He recently visited Samoa to see the preparations for the games.

The additional events mean there will be "athletes coming all over from the world," Adamif said.

"I’m sure from Europe, Pan-American, Asia and hopefully Africa. So, it won’t be just a Pacific event, it will be a global event."

Group wants Olympic golf venue changed

The Japan Golf Council, unaffiliated with the sport's domestic governing body, the Japan Golf Association -- said on Tuesday that it had sent a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach proposing an alternative venue.

The membership policy "is quite contrary to the spirit of the Olympic Games," said Eiko Ohya, chairwoman of the council.

The Kasumigaseki Country Club, a private club in neighbouring Saitama prefecture, lets women play Monday through Saturday but bars them from becoming full members and from playing on Sundays.

Fiji 7s team embracing the pressure in Dubai

Since Fiji won Olympic gold in August, champion coach Ben Ryan and a handful of players have departed the team.

Welshman Gareth Baber has been appointed head coach through to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but doesn't take the reins until January.

Despite a number of changes to the Fiji set-up only two new caps have been selected for the opening legs in Dubai and Cape Town.

Interim coach Naca Cawanibuka said expectations remain the same.

Skateboarding legend says drug testing would sink sport at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The International Olympic Committee has announced five sports will be added for the Tokyo games.

One of the sports added will be skateboarding, with 80 athletes set to make their Olympic debut.

Australian skateboarding legend Tas Pappas become number one in the world at the 1996 World Championships.

He has raised doubts over drug testing and how it might affect athletes' performances at the Olympics.