Press Release World Baseball Softball Confederation
Worldwide martial arts film star, director and entertainer, Jackie Chan, is “swinging for the fences” to get baseball and softball back in the Olympic Games.
LOS ANGELES, CA (USA) – Multi-talented international star Jackie Chan has been added to the line-up of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Playball2020 team that is currently campaigning to get their sports in the 2020 Olympic Games.
Chan, who took part in the torch relay and sang at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, adds the role of Playball2020 Ambassador to his résumé in an effort to help baseball and softball earn a place in the Olympics.
“I have noticed that baseball and also softball have been growing globally and attracting boys and girls to come together to play [a sport],” Chan said.
“The two sports teach children teamwork, discipline — about facing challenges and overcoming difficulties.
“Hence, I support baseball and softball’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games and I sincerely wish baseball and softball receive the favourable votes from the IOC members,” Chan expressed.
World Baseball Softball Confederation co-Presidents Riccardo Fraccari and Don Porter commented: “It’s a tremendous honour and truly exciting to have Jackie Chan as a supporter of baseball and softball. He is an international figure who personifies hard-work, athleticism, determination and supreme talent, which are qualities needed to reach the Olympic Games.”
Philip Li, Chairman of Hong Kong Baseball Association, said, “Mr. Chan’s generosity with his time, his commitment to sport and fitness, and his enormous international appeal will help inspire countless supporters be more active in sport and join WBSC’s efforts to find a place for baseball and softball players on the world’s biggest sporting stage, the Olympic Games.”
Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote on September 8th in Buenos Aires on the sports programme of the 2020 Olympic Games, and together, baseball and softball are one of three finalists being considered by the IOC to be added to the 2020 Olympic Games.