Climbing was one of five sports - along with baseball/softball, karate, skateboarding and surfing - to be recommended for inclusion in four years' time by the Additional Events Panel in the Japanese capital.

A decision on what to include will be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at their Session in Rio de Janeiro this year, with the IFSC discussing the matter at their 11th Annual Plenary Assembly in Tehran on Saturday (February 20).

"I felt a lot of harmony in the sport climbing family, willing to work together for the development of the sport," said Scolaris.

"The all-day meeting was very constructive and united, with representatives willing to pursue their efforts to improve structure at national level and be ready for Tokyo 2020.

"They massively support the inclusion of sport climbing at Tokyo 2020.”

The IFSC also used the meeting to update members on the past year, with Senegal, Rwanda and Macau accepted as new members.

The governing body also awarded their Youth Championships in 2017 and 2018 to Innsbruck and Quebec respectively.

If sport climbing is accepted for Tokyo, bouldering and lead and speed combined would be the disciplines contested.

Forty climbers would take part in men's and women's competitions.