On Thursday, August 13 the executive board of the International Olympic Committee will decide, which two of the seven sports with Olympics hopes, will be voted on during the Olympic congress on October 2nd in Copenhagen, Denmark. Baseball and Softball were cut from the 2012 program in 2005 and work hard to get back for 2016. Roller Sports, Rugby, Karate, Golf and Squash are the other five sports to bid for one of the two open spots. Each one of the seven made a presentation in front of the IOC in June and since then wait for the decision on August 13 in Berlin, Germany.
In recent days there was speculation that Rugby and Golf are favored, but nobody knows if it is true. Also Baseball was asked to submit more information on their women’s Baseball proposal for 2016. Apparently last week Baseball again tried to make a joint bid with Softball, but the International Softball Federation rejected it again. IBAF president Dr. Harvey Schiller has updated his blog on www.ibaf.org, trying to clear up a few things. Check it out.
The national Olympic committee of the USA has an article about this week’s decision on their website, including this nice quote from Washington National Ryan Zimmerman:
“It would be quite a dream to play in the Olympics,” Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. “I’ve talked to other players who would be thrilled to play. Obviously, there would be details to work out. I would be honored to play for the U.S. and do everything I could to help my country win a gold medal. To have a gold medal placed around my neck and hear the national anthem … wow, it would be very cool.”
Well, I can perfectly understand things about rugby, but wtf has golf got to do with athletics? Please, get real.