IOC Votes on Baseball
Published on August 13, 2009 - 2:49 pm
by IBAF.org
News release
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) votes against re-instatement of baseball August 13, 2009
(LAUSANNE, Switzerland) - The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) today issued the following statement after the announcement earlier today in Berlin on which two sports would be put forth for a vote in October in Copenhagen for re-instatement for the 2016 Olympics.
"The IBAF would like to congratulate golf and rugby on their selection today. Both will be welcome additions to the Olympic programme and should add great excitement to which ever city is selected to host the Olympic Games in 2016. We also want to wish nothing but the best to karate, roller sports, softball and squash, who were also not selected today. All of the seven sports under consideration have proven through the selection process that they are worthy of Olympic Games inclusion. Today is certainly a disappointing day for the billions of fans and participants around the globe who love the game of baseball, especially for the many young people from emerging countries who are now just learning the game and will not get the opportunity to realize the Olympic dream that so many before them have had. We effectively addressed all the International Olympic Committee's questions with regard to re-instatement and are confident that we had made the best presentation possible. The game of baseball has grown stronger around the world, and overall baseball is seen and played by more boys and girls and men and women, both disabled and able-bodied, than ever before. Baseball will always emulate the Olympic ideals, and we predict that the IOC will be asking baseball back to the games for 2020, as we will continue to be the best partner for global sport possible. On behalf of all our federations, we want to thank President Rogge and the IOC for the opportunity to be re-instated to the Olympic programme, and we wish all the best going forward."
World Baseball Academy Response
"Obviously, the decision by the IOC not to reinstate baseball for the 2016 Games comes as a disappointment. Baseball remains, however, a deeply entrenched global sport. Without the kinds of Olympic funding for many of the baseball federations around the world, the need for the kind of development offered by The World Baseball Academy is now more important than ever!," Darin Van Tassell, competition director of the Olympic baseball games and WBA Board Member.
"While the international baseball community will be limited in development opportunities from this decision, it demonstrates the need for programming such as The World Baseball Academy. The timing is right for Fort Wayne to become positioned as an international destination for federations from around the world," explains Caleb Kimmel, Executive Director.
"It's an unfortunate situation for the federations, but surprisingly, this opens the door for the World Baseball Academy to emerge at a very strategic time for the game of baseball," says Steve Sotir, WBA Board Member.
"We were all hoping that the IOC would once again embrace baseball into the Olympic forum. However, the game continues to grow and the mission of the WBA is focused on aiding in that growth. This decision really does not negatively affect the future of The World Baseball Academy but simply reinforces the importance of outreach programming such as this," states Larry Bryant, WBA Board Member.