Two new sports have been announced for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse.

Archery and freestyle skiing will be added to the program, the Games International Committee said on Friday.

Jens Brinch, committee president, said they hope these new additions will increase interest in the sports across the North.

“We believe the addition of archery and freestyle skiing will increase interest in the AWG program,” Brinch said in the Friday release.

“Our sport selection policy recognizes that each host jurisdiction presents unique opportunities to include sports that are relevant in the host region.”

The different events and categories were not announced in the release.

George Arcand, president of the host committee, said the addition of the sports will encourage athletes from rural communities to compete.

“Both sports will be a great addition for the 2020 Games in Whitehorse and will increase participation among our rural communities,” he said in the Friday afternoon release. “It will enhance the use of the facilities at Mt. Sima, having the three sports that call Mt. Sima home participating in the Games.”