LAUSANNE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board on Thursday approved qualification systems for boxing, water polo and curling mixed doubles for upcoming Olympic and Youth Olympic Games, while signaling a potential reduction in the size of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic program.

The board also put the election process for the 2030 Youth Olympic Games on hold and confirmed work on Esports is ongoing, although no proposal will be presented before June.

Since December 2025, the IOC has approved qualification systems for 49 Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games disciplines and events, with boxing and water polo the latest additions. The remaining three systems, for athletics, cricket and football, will be presented for approval in June 2026. The board also approved an early start to qualification for curling mixed doubles at the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Regarding Brisbane 2032, IOC president Kirsty Coventry indicated the Games are expected to be smaller than LA28.

"In LA we have 36 sports. And here I think it's fair to say that in Brisbane, we don't expect to see 36 sports," Coventry said during an online press conference. "Even in their host city contract, that is not what they are required to deliver."

She added that a decision on the 2032 program is expected by the end of this year or early next year.

The IOC Executive Board also decided to pause the 2030 YOG election process after inconclusive survey results from National Olympic Committees and International Federations. The IOC added that it remains committed to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter YOG.

On Esports, Coventry said discussions are ongoing, but stressed that no decision has been taken on whether or how they could be incorporated into the Olympic program, and that no proposal will be submitted before June.

"Esports is sitting under my executive office. I have been working with an expert in the field. So it is very much alive," she said. "But it is really about timing and that timing where we will be able to be ready to present anything to the executive board will be after June."

"We are still looking at Esports. But for now, we're focusing on our core business and trying to make strong future strategies for the core business first, while still working very clearly on what potential there could be with Esports and what that would look like," she added. ■