Rowing's governing body has voted to drop the lightweight men's four class from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic program.
The world body, known as FISA, says it wants to introduce the women's four class to promote gender equality.
The motion passed in a 94-67 vote, after several Asian countries objected to downgrading the status of lightweight rowing.
If the IOC approves the proposal in July, the 14 rowing events in Tokyo will have seven each for men and women.
Opponents included China and Switzerland, which won gold in lightweight men's four at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics ahead of Denmark and France.
New Zealand, Greece and Italy also made the final in Rio.
Australia did not qualify for the event.
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