The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have welcomed a proposal from cycling to include skateboarding as a discipline for the Games because they are keen to appeal to young people.

 

Talks on the introduction were held between the IOC and the International Cycling Union (UCI) this week.

 

IOC media relations manager Emmanuelle Moreau said: "The IOC are very keen on having a programme that appeals to the youth and we said we would welcome such a proposal.

 

"The first step is for the UCI to include skateboarding themselves and then make a formal proposal to the IOC.

 

"It is possible for skateboarding to be at the Games in London - in terms of timescale it would be feasible."

 

The venue for skateboarding would be the velodrome in the Olympic Park and organisers would erect a number of `half-pipes', in which skateboarders perform their stunts.

 

Olivier Quejuiner, UCI director of sport, confirmed cycling's interest.

 

He told the Evening Standard: "We are doing our best to introduce skateboarding for 2012. We have a clear strategy and we would like to follow the request of (IOC president Jacques Rogge).

 

"The venue could be wonderful.

 

"All we need now is the green light from the IOC.

 

"Technically, logistically and in terms of cost, it would not be a problem to stage the event in 2012."

 

The IOC's drive to interest the youth of the world has seen them introduce snowboarding to the Winter Olympics and BMX cycling to next year's summer Games in Beijing.

 

By becoming part of the cycling union, skateboarding would get a "back-door" entry to the Games as a discipline rather than a new sport.

 

Rugby Sevens and golf have both failed in their campaigns to be included and seven year's notice is needed for new Olympic sports.

 

New disciplines only require three years' notice, however.

 

A London 2012 spokesman said any new sport or discipline was a matter for the IOC.