Baseball Australia is delighted with the confirmation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board to support the inclusion of Baseball and Softball at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Baseball and Softball will be presented to the IOC general assembly as a part of a five-sport package, along with surfing, karate, skateboarding and sport climbing. A final vote on the composition of the sports program for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be taken at the full IOC meeting in Rio de Janeiro in August, and, if approved, it would constitute "the most comprehensive evolution of the Olympic program in modern history," according to the IOC’s official release.
Baseball Australia CEO Brett Pickett also welcomed the news.
“Confirmation by the IOC Executive Board, that they will support baseball’s inclusion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, is another great step forward for baseball in Australia,” said Pickett.
“Australia has a proud tradition of Olympic baseball, having secured Silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics.”
“The Southern Thunder, Australia’s national men’s team, is ranked amongst the best 16 teams in the world (ranked 13th), having recently qualified for next year’s World Baseball Classic and we believe we are well positioned for Olympic qualification should we get final approval for inclusion in Rio at the August IOC Session.”
“This announcement today is another step forward for baseball in Australia and gives a great boost to all those who have worked tirelessly, to get baseball reinstated in the Olympics.”
“Baseball participation numbers continues to grow at a grass-roots level across Australia, and for baseball to be reinstated to the Olympics would provide a clear pathway for our best emerging talent.”
“With Liam Hendriks (Oakland Athletics), Warwick Saupold (Detroit Tigers) and Peter Moylan (Kansas City Royals) currently playing in the MLB and dozens of Australians playing in the Minor Leagues in the US, and the rising level quality of Australian Baseball League, Baseball in Australia is in a healthy position and this would be a great recognition to the entire baseball family.”