A final decision on new events being added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme from within existing sports is set to be taken in June 2017.
Discussions have already begun between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and individual International Federations, IOC sports director Kit McConnell revealed here.
These talks are due to be “accelerated” following Rio 2016.
The IOC Executive Board on Wednesday (June 1) recommended baseball and softball, karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing to be added to the programme at Tokyo 2020.
The decision is expected to be approved by the full IOC membership at its Session in Rio de Janeior between August 1 and 4.
Providing the proposal is accepted, it will mean 18 new events and 474 new athletes will be added to the programme in the Japanese capital.
This is likely to reduce the size of any increase in the number of athletes participating from within existing sports.
Various sports have already proposed mixed team events in order to introduce new and gender-equal competition but without the need for new participants.
A mixed relay in triathlon, mixed doubles in table tennis and a mixed team competition in archery are three such possibilities.
One potential new discipline could be basketball 3x3, an innovative shortened version of the sport which was first showcased at the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.
If successful, 3x3 would likely appear alongside, rather than instead, of its five-a-side cousin.
Street and park freestyle events in BMX cycling have also been widely mooted, with it possible that a venue could be shared with the one for skateboarding.
International Cycling Union President Brian Cookson also wants to extend the track programme, with the individual pursuit and madison among events vying for a return after being dropped following Beijing 2008.
Two additional weight categories in women’s boxing are another possible option.