UCI president Pat McQuaid has confirmed cycling’s world governing body will once again seek to expand its Olympic programme – by introducing skateboarding to the Games.

The UCI’s plans to include skateboarding at London 2012 were shelved in 2007 but, after the introduction of BMX at the Beijing Games in 2008, McQuaid believes skateboarding will attract a younger audience to the Olympics.

“We’re discussing bringing in BMX freestyle and even skateboarding,” McQuaid told BBC Sport. 

“The International Olympic Committee recognise they need to have events in the Olympic programme that bring kids into sport.

“BMX came into the Games in Beijing for the first time and was a spectacular success – we’ve shown that to the IOC members and the reaction from the media was superb.

“Discussions are ongoing. I hope they come to fruition and we see those disciplines in the Olympic Games. It’d be wonderful for young kids to see events they can aim for in the Olympics.

“This is at an early stage and there is quite a lot to discuss, but from initial discussions with Jacques Rogge and others it’s very positive.”

Golf will return to the Olympics in 2016 after a 116-year abscence, with rugby sevens also entering the fold, while squash, roller sports, karate, softball and baseball, all also hoping to be included, missed out in an IOC executive board vote in 2009.

The UCI hopes to add skateboarding to its Olympic schedule without losing any other events despite track cycling’s individual pursuit having to be scrapped from the 2012 programme to push through more women’s events.

And, although no obvious link between skateboarding and the rest of the UCI’s agenda, McQuaid insists the organisation is best-place to lead the campaign.

“They’re all related to wheels, they’re all related to bikes as such, and from that point of view cycling is the sport that can bring those disciplines in,” he added.