Fernando Aguerre was speaking on the opening day of the 2017 World Surfing Games ©Getty Images

Fernando Aguerre, the President of the International Surfing Association (ISA), has backed surfing to remain a part of the Olympic programme for another two Games if the decision to jointly award the 2024 and 2028 editions takes place.

Surfing was added to the Olympic sports programme for Tokyo 2020 in August 2016, after decades of ISA campaigning underpinned by a strategy of global growth and development.

They will be joined in the Japanese capital by baseball/softball, karate, sport climbing and skateboarding.

On the opening day of the 2017 World Surfing Games here in Biarritz, Aguerre claimed that if Paris and Los Angeles were to be the next two host cities then surfing would definitely benefit.

“Both of the candidate cities are places that understand surfing," Aguerre said at a round table event today.

“I have had several conversations with members of the Paris team and they all get our sport.

“It is the same with Los Angeles

“I said earlier today that Biarritz is the California of Europe because it has all the surf shops and factories but California is the real thing.

“Both groups have embraced surfing in a good way.

“I think that there is a good possibility that surfing will continue to be in the Olympic movement especially if the 2024 and 2028 joint awarding happens.

“Both cities care about surfing and care about youth.”

Huntindgon Beach is a popular surfing location in California ©Getty Images
Huntindgon Beach is a popular surfing location in California ©Getty Images

It was revealed yesterday that a special International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board meeting is due to be held on June 9 to accelerate plans to jointly award the 2024 and 2028 Games this year.

It seems virtually certain that they are seeking to press ahead with plans to award both Los Angeles and Paris editions of the Games.

Exactly how this will be done appears to be the main question. 

The Executive Board will "receive and discuss two reports from the Working Group currently looking into the candidature procedure".

If the Games were awarded to the French capital then Biarritz could be a possible location for surfing, if it were to be held on natural water, despite being almost 500 miles away.

“We have an open mind,” Aguerre said.

“We do not know what the technology is going to be like in 2020 for 2024.

“If machines can make waves big enough then surfing could be held in the city of Paris.

“But, if it were to be on the ocean, then Biarritz is a serious candidate.

“There are many things to be sorted out."