Climbing and cricket are the most recent additions to the growing number of sports which are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The meeting of the IOC Executive Board granted provisional recognition status to the International Federation of Sport Climbing and the International Cricket Council on Monday 10 December.

The two sports were awarded the status for their work with youth, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies told the press. 'Both showed a lot of activity and work with youth!'

The recognition gives the governing bodies official association with the IOC and some financial assistance.

The provisional recognition is for an initial two-year period, after which the sports bodies can seek full recognition and apply for inclusion in the Olympics starting in 2020, Davies said.

There are currently 29 fully recognized federations - including those for karate, rugby, roller sports and squash - and nearly all of them are hoping to see their sports become Olympic one day.

Sport climbing, while under the governance of International Mountaineering Federation, already enjoyed the benefits of IOC recognition. The sport premiered in The World Games in 2005 and will again feature in The World Games 2009.

Criquet featured in the Paris 1900 Olympics.