The various international sports federations choose the disciplines, events,
and sports for each of the Olympic Games.
To qualify as an Olympic
sport, that sport must be widely practiced by men in at least 75 countries
and on four continents, and by women in at least 40 countries and on three
continents. Sports widely practiced in at least 25 countries and on three continents
may be included in the Winter Games.
In the past, the host country occasionally
has been allowed to include one or two demonstration
sports. If there is enough interest, they may
be selected as medal sports in future Games.
For example, tennis and baseball were demonstration
sports before becoming medal sports in the
1988 and 1992 Games, respectively.
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