They leap into the promising waters of the pool hoping to come home with the gold. They propel themselves off the block and through their lanes as they sprint to victory. They pedal their hearts out along long courses through grand sceneries and views. And maybe some day they will  knockout their opponent with a nasty right hook to have their names engraved in sporting history.

Every four years, Olympic athletes push themselves to the absolute limits in their respective sports. However, as disputes about what events should be added to the Games rage on, the term “Olympian” could potentially be associated with many dynamic activities and competitions.

While karate, baseball and surfing have been officially added to the slate of events for the Tokyo 2020 Games, major sports such as cricket and golf remain on the waiting list with various other contenders. Some may be longshots, but here are some events that people tend to argue should be included in the Games.       

Cricket

It’s hard to fathom that world’s second largest sport could be left out of the Olympics. Despite having little popularity in America, its presence in Great Britain, the Indian subcontinent and Australia would make the competition a sure hit. Since first-class cricket matches last anywhere from three to five days, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would probably prefer limited overs cricket, which would take less time. The adoration for the cricket makes it seem like it won’t be long before the sport receives its place amongst the top athletic competitions of the world.     

Bowling

This sport might be generally perceived as an amateur sport, but there are plenty of professional bowlers worldwide who would surely make the event exciting at the Olympics. The beauty of bowling is that it can be played solo or as a team, which would allow for many competitions within the event itself. Who knows, maybe you could add a 100-pin event or a shorter version with less frames. This is a flexible sport that could become a thrilling event for viewers across the globe to tune into.

Cheer

Before you freak out, put aside the actual competition part of this event. The chance to see groups of people from different nations cheer for their countries despite whatever turmoil or devastation might be present at the time would be truly inspirational to all who witnessed the contest. It would act as an example of unity in times of unrest and turbulence in the political world. Event-wise, competitive cheer takes a lot of endurance and strength that is often overlooked by many. The high-flying and action-packed routines would allow this event to quickly become popular amongst a worldwide audience.   

Dodgeball

If you ask anyone who has ever played dodgeball before at any point in time, they will admit that the game requires a vast amount of athletic ability. A common school gym pastime, this event would pit superior athletes from various nations against each other in what is sure to produce many grudge matches and several exciting finishes. Plus, if the IOC wants to have variations of the sport, they can add ultimate dodgeball, which includes trampolines and flips, or other forms of the game that suit their needs. The possibilities are endless.

Tug of war

Believe it or not, tug of war was actually in the Olympics until 1920, but has been left out ever since. Imagine if the IOC were to bring it back after its 100-year absence. Despite the public perception that the event is purely a game of strength, strategy also plays a large role in the outcome of the match. It would be interesting to see how each country develops their teams and trains to come home with the gold. Besides, if badminton and handball are in the Games, surely tug of war can be reinstated soon.

American football

This one narrows down to two factors: fans and money. The two go hand-in-hand and would be highly relevant in this competition. As the NFL has tried to expand its appeal worldwide by putting games in London and Mexico City, its international fan base has increased over time to accompany the popularity of the sport in America. Sure, the U.S. would certainly dominate the competition, but why not give the sport a try for 2020?  

Ultimate frisbee

If American football is too far-fetched, this sport would be a comfortable solution for the Olympics to consider. In various countries, ultimate frisbee is becoming increasingly more popular due to its relative simplicity and athletic appeal. The sport, known primarily as “Ultimate” is basically a faster version of football with more agility and less contact. As soon as the offense completes a pass, they keep on moving down the field until they score or the defense stops them. Audience members wouldn’t be able to look away from this fast-paced game, which would make for an exciting event if added to the Olympics.

e-Sports

You’ve read the subheading and you’re asking, “What in the world are e-Sports?” This is understandable. While the sport is relatively uncommon, it does have strong ties with certain groups of millennials. E-Sports, which is essentially professional video gaming, would have endless paths that it could take in order to appeal to various audiences. From League of Legends to Call of Duty to Overwatch, the world of video games would be on display for all to see on the sporting world’s biggest stage. Yes, it is highly improbable that this sport would ever reach the big time and the validity of the event is highly debatable. However, in order for the Olympics to expand its core and reach more diverse groups of people, the risk of e-Sports could be beneficial and worth it in the long run.