TOKYO -- Multiple sports, including baseball and softball, moved a step closer to being included in the Tokyo 2020 Games after being described as a dynamic and exciting package by the IOC.Skateboarding, surfing, karate, sports climbing, baseball and softball were all recommended for inclusion by the International Olympic Committee. An Olympic program commission report released Friday said the sports are a blend of the traditional and emerging, youth-focused events and that all have international and local appeal.The IOC will make the final decision on the new sports in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, two days before the opening ceremony of the 2016 Games.In assessing the case for inclusion, the commission considered gender equality, youth appeal and legacy value.The inclusion of the new sports would add 18 events and 474 athletes, with equal numbers of women and men for all sports except baseball and softball; softball teams have 15 players while baseball teams have 24.The report said the new sports in Tokyo would not threaten the inclusion of existing Olympic sports or be binding on future host cities.Baseball and softball, which are making a combined bid to return, were dropped after the 2008 Beijing Games. Their hopes for inclusion are boosted by their popularity in Japan. Carl Jenkinson Arsenal Jersey . 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BOSTON -- Call it the unholy alliance: one-time Super Bowl rivals Tom Brady and Michael Strahan are teaming up to produce a six-part documentary TV series called the Religion of Sports.Each hour-long episode looks at different examples of the cultural and spiritual impact of sports in religions around the world.The show explores the rivalry between soccer clubs in Glasgow, Scotland; the Calgary Stampede rodeo in Alberta, Canada; and the rise of e-sports. It also delves into NASCAR, mixed martial arts and minor league baseball.The Associated Press caught up with Brady, Strahan and Gotham Chopra -- the creator, director and voice -- of the series that airs beginning Nov. 15 on the Audience Network on DirecTV and AT&T U-verse.Brady is a quarterback for the New England Patriots. Strahan is a retired New York Giants defensive end, who is joining ABCs Good Morning America this fall. Chopra is the son of spiritual guru Deepak Chopra.Their comments have been edited for clarity and length:--AP: Where did the idea of this show come from?Chopra: Figuratively I feel like Ive been working on this my whole life. Obviously growing up with my father, I was around that world of spirituality and religion. But I also grew up in Boston. I bled green as a Celtics fan in the `80s. I loved sports. About five years ago, I had a conversation with my father, who never really understood that devotion to sports. And I remember saying to him that all of those things you speak in the spiritual tradition also exist in sports.--AP: What drew you to this project?Strahan: I love the emotional aspect of it. You hear Religion of Sports, and you say, OK, so sport is a religion? Well, yeah, it really is. The temple is this arena or stadium. These athletes can be considered the gods in certain ways and the fans can be considered parishioners. So to be able to explore that and this spiritual connection between sports and life, thats what really piqued my interest.--AP: You say sport creates a spiritual experience for both fans and playerrs.dddddddddddd. How would you describe that to non-sports fans?Brady: Its pretty simple: In sports you often become part of something greater than yourself. On the field, you come into sync with your teammates and coaches and together you achieve something that you could never do on your own. And as an athlete, when you are on that field and the fans get really engaged and you can feel their energy and passion and true love of the game, it is absolutely a spiritual experience.--AP: How is this series going to be different from other sports documentary shows out there?Chopra: I compare it a lot to This American Life. Its stories about why sports gives people purpose, meaning and significance -- whether youre an athlete, fan or person that works within sports. Its very much character-driven. The backdrop happens to be sports.--AP: What was the most interesting thing for you about this project?Strahan: Its finding out those backstories and motivations. Its the real heart-to heart-feel of everybodys story. Cat Zingano (a mixed martial arts fighter the series followed as she prepared for a comeback fight earlier this year) and her reason for doing what shes doing. Once you see that episode, youll have a much deeper appreciation for who she is and what shes come from.--AP: Did you learn anything new about sports culture in the making of this?Brady: As far as the series goes, its great to learn more about sports Im probably less familiar with -- stock car racing, rodeo, e-sports -- and realize that a lot of the people at the center of those sports bring the same level of passion, commitment and disciple that I try to with football. Sports is a way of life for billions of people around the planet. Religion of Sports takes you beyond sports as we know it.---Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/philip-marcelo ' ' '