IOC wants new Japan member as soon as possible - Bach

In another major development, IOC president Thomas Bach recommended France's bid for breakdance's inclusion in the 2024 Olympic Games to the IOC session in June.

Lausanne: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is looking to appoint a new member from following the departure of Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) chief Tsunekazu Takeda from the global ruling body, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Wednesday.

Takeda, who is under probe in France for suspected corruption, will step down from his JOC role in June.

The development prompted IOC executive board to take a decision on infusing a new member from Japan in IOC

Bach said the IOC Executive Board did not want any uncertainty regarding Takeda's future with Tokyo hosting the Olympics next year.

"I think he (Takeda) also wanted to clear the way in the interest of Japan and also of the IOC," Bach told a news conference, adding that the IOC would like to identify a successor as soon as possible.

"Japan not only being the host and a very strong member of the Olympic movement, we are interested in having as soon as possible a member in Japan."

International gymnastics federation president Morinari Watanabe is an IOC member from Japan, though his membership is not individual but linked to the international federation presidency.

Breakdancing moves step closer to Paris 2024 inclusion

Meanwhile, in a major development, IOC president Thomas Bach recommended for breakdance's inclusion in the 2024 Olympic Games to the IOC session in June.

Breakdance

The Paris Olympic Games 2024 organising committee in February proposed surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing as well as breakdancing for inclusion in the Games.

“We decided to recommend the four sports (for ratification) to the IOC session in June in Lausanne,” Bach told a news conference. “It is a provisional inclusion because the final decision should only be taken at the end of 2020.”