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Softball pitched for 2020 Olympics in Tokyo
Newly appointed International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Thomas Bach has announced that both softball and baseball could be added to the program for the 2020 Olympics to be held in Tokyo. At a news conference held on Wednesday Bach said that the addition of the two sports is currently under consideration and the first broad discussion will be held between 11-14 December at a meeting of Executive Board of the IOC. Once this discussion has taken place the Executive Board will present the topic for debate at the IOC Session that is to be held ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games at the Sochi Resort in Russia.
Softball was eliminated as an Olympic sport after the 2008 games and was dropped from the program in favour of wrestling. Now, however, thanks to the support of the Japanese who love baseball and softball both sports may once again be included in the games’ Tokyo program. If either of the sports is chosen to be reinstated this will be a great coup and if both are going to be played at the 2020 Olympics this will be the sports equivalent of hitting the jackpot at www.mobilecasinoaustralia.com.au.
Softball and baseball initially failed a bid to be included in the 2020 and 2024 Olympic program, but after Tokyo was announced as the host of the 2020 games the call for the sports to be reinstated has grown louder. The Olympic charter states that a sports inclusion must be decided prior to the announcement of the host city, but Bach has called for flexibility and has said he is open for adaptation and amendment of the charter if the IOC agrees.
The many existing baseball and softball facilities in the Tokyo region could sway the IOC’s decision as they are already suitable for hosting the events, and would automatically be able to cater to the crowds the sport would draw. At present, Japan is scaling back on the planned 80,000 seat main stadium following uproar over the size and expense of the construction, so utilising existing resources and infrastructure may well be looked upon favourably. The results of the IOC’s decision are still a few months away but in the interim it appears as if Bach is firmly behind the inclusion of both sports and will try his utmost to have them reinstated.
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