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IOC members surprised by drop of baseball, softball from 2012 Olympics
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-07-08 15:18 Some members of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed their surprise on Friday with
the exclusion of baseball and softball from the 2012 Olympic Games.
"I am really suprised, after all I would have expected no change, if there is
any change, one is maximum, therefore I am quite surprised," said IOC's German
member Thomas Bach.
Baseball and softball were voted out of the program of the 2012 Olympic Games
in London after failing to garner more than half of the votes of the 100-plus
IOC members at the 117th IOC Session.
But the two remain Olympic sports and are still eligible for being included
in the 2016 Games.
"For me the vote result is a surprise," said IOC member Walther Troeger. "I
thought all the 28 sports would pass."
After baseball and softball are excluded, the five applicant sports,
including golf, rugby, karate, squash and roller sports, will have the chance to
fill the void.
"The exclusion of the two sport show that the IOC members wantto make room
for new sports," said Troeger.
"Baseball and softball now have to work hard to reconstruct their reputation
to come back into the Olympic program," he said.
The last sport eliminated from the Summer Olympics was polo _ in 1936.
In 2002, IOC president Jacques Rogge proposed that baseball, softball and
modern pentathlon be dropped, and golf and rugby added. But IOC members resisted
and no vote was taken.
Rogge then decided to institute a review of the sports after each Olympics
based on a number of criteria. Key issues include global participation,
spectator attendance, anti-doping policies, and whether the sport brings the
world's top athletes to the games.
Bach could figure out why the baseball might be voted out but did not expect
the removal of softball.
"The international baseball federation couldnot ensure the bestbaseball
players to participate in the Games, and the members felt the target of the
Olympic Games is to include the best athletes in the Games.
"The members felt the best players of baseball are not interested in the
Games, then why should we keep it on the program. "
"But I don't know what is the reason for the softball, you haveto ask the IOC
members who voted individually.
Bach, however, said that it is not the doomsday for baseball and softball,
which still have the chance to come back.
"The impact on the two sports remain to be seen. The two sports will still be
on the program of the 2008 Olympics, and have the chance to showcase themsevels.
"They can make use of the time to modernize and to correct the approaches and
they may have a good chance to make the 2016.
Modern pentathlon, one of the three sports facing chopped in 2002, was safe
at least until 2012 Games.
"If my explanation is correct, the modern pentathlon is bringingthe best
athletes to the Olympic Games.
"It also has a great tradition, invented by the founder of the Olympic
Movement. In the same time its very much modernized. The modern pentathlon has
got the message and delivered."
The IOC Executive Board will meet and determine which applicant sport(s) may
be proposed to the IOC Session for admission.
The IOC members will then vote by secret ballot on the proposalof the
Executive Board. As previously stated, in order to become an Olympic sport, a
2/3 majority is needed.
In order for an Olympic sport to be included in the sports programme, a
simple majority is needed.
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