These athletes from the Chicago area compete in a sport never before played at the Olympics – NBC Chicago

The Tokyo Olympics are bigger than ever before, with organizers presenting 15 new medal events to a total of 339.

The new events feature a number of athletes with local ties, giving Olympic fans more competition in the Midwest to look forward to and encourage.

New to the Tokyo Olympics include baseball, softball, skateboarding, surfing, climbing, karate, basketball 3×3, cycling: freestyle BMX and seven mixed group events.

Here’s an overview of the Chicago area’s competitors who are already making Olympic history:

Baseball:

• After being eliminated from the Olympics in 2008, baseball returns to Tokyo. Six countries, including the United States, participate in the popular Japanese sport.
• Local athletes include:
  • Tim Federowicz, former Chicago Cubs catcher
  • Todd Frazier, a former Chicago White Sox third baseman
  • Edwin Jackson, former puppies and White Sox pitcher
  • David Robertson, former White Sox pitcher

Softball:

• Just like baseball, softball was eliminated from the Olympics in 2008 and will only become a controversy at the Tokyo Games. The United States will be joined by Japan, Australia, Italy, Mexico and Canada.
• Local athletes include:
  • Amanda Chidester of Allen Park, Michigan and Chicago Bandits catcher

Basketball 3×3:

• Both the men’s and women’s Olympic 3: 3-3 basketball will be introduced this year. Unlike traditional 5×5 basketball games, 3×3 is played in midfield and the score consists of 1- and 2-pointers. Each game ends in 10 minutes or when one team reaches 21 points. The entire team lineup is four players per team, and one substitute on the bench.
• Local athletes include:
  • Stefanie Dolson, Chicago Sky basketball player

Cycling: freestyle BMX:

• Freestyle BMX was added to the cycling program, making its debut at the Tokyo Games. Riders are scored based on performance and difficulty in tricks. There will be competition between men and women.
• Local athletes include:
  • Hannah Roberts of South Bend, Indiana

Miscellaneous teams: Seven Sports presents new mixed group events with men and women. New mixed sports include swimming, athletics, archery, judo, shooting, table tennis and triathlon.

• Swimming: Teams with two men and two women from each country will take part in the 4×100-meter medley.
  • The U.S. mixed group has not yet been named, but may have several local swimmers.
• Triathlon: There are four teams (female-male-female-male in that order) in the mixed team broker, with each athlete performing a shorter version of a triathlon known as a super-sprint before marking their next teammate
  • Local triathletes who could compete in the team include:
    • Kevin McDowell of Geneva, Illinois