Baseball/Softball has been named as one of five sports recommended to the International Olympic Council, by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, for inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Often touted as Japan’s national pastime, Baseball/Softball have been seen as front-runners for recommendation by the Organising Committee, but the announcement today has provided the next level of clarity for the sport globally.
“Reinstatement back into the Olympic Games is an extensive process for the sport, so it is encouraging this evening to receive the news that Baseball/Softball has made it to the next step, and it is credit to the sports global movement”, said Baseball Australia President, David Hynes.
The Olympic Games are regarded as the worlds foremost sports competition, inciting a sense of community and national pride for Australia and it’s Olympic Sports.
“Baseball as an Olympic sport does so much for our game far beyond the diamond; we consider it the biggest draw card to boost national participation and place baseball in every Australian household”, said Mr Hynes.
Karate, Skateboarding, Sports Climbing and Surfing we’re also named, beating Ten-Pin Bowling, Squash and Wushu for recommendation.
Baseball/Softball tick much of the key criteria for the Tokyo 2020 decision: high youth appeal, engage the Japanese population and global audiences, and with existing stadium infrastructure cost of construction and operations will be minimal which aligns with the Agenda 2020 vision.
Baseball was included in the Olympic program from 1992, but was dropped, along with Softball, after the Beijing 2008 Games. Team Australia’s best Olympic result is Silver at the Athens 2004 behind Cuba.
Team Australia’s current high performance pinnacle events are the IBAF Premier 12 and Major League Baseball’s World Baseball Classic, both held every four years. Baseball Australia is working closely with the Australian Institute of Sport to realign operations towards Olympic capabilities with a look towards 2020.
The final decision on the sports to be included, in line with the Olympic Charter, will be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.
Read Tokyo 2020's full announcement here
Baseball/Softball has been named as one of five sports recommended to the International Olympic Council, by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, for inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Often touted as Japan’s national pastime, Baseball/Softball have been seen as front-runners for recommendation by the Organising Committee, but the announcement today has provided the next level of clarity for the sport globally.
“Reinstatement back into the Olympic Games is an extensive process for the sport, so it is encouraging this evening to receive the news that Baseball/Softball has made it to the next step, and it is credit to the sports global movement”, said Baseball Australia President, David Hynes.
The Olympic Games are regarded as the worlds foremost sports competition, inciting a sense of community and national pride for Australia and it’s Olympic Sports.
“Baseball as an Olympic sport does so much for our game far beyond the diamond; we consider it the biggest draw card to boost national participation and place baseball in every Australian household”, said Mr Hynes.
Karate, Skateboarding, Sports Climbing and Surfing we’re also named, beating Ten-Pin Bowling, Squash and Wushu for recommendation.
Baseball/Softball tick much of the key criteria for the Tokyo 2020 decision: high youth appeal, engage the Japanese population and global audiences, and with existing stadium infrastructure cost of construction and operations will be minimal which aligns with the Agenda 2020 vision.
Baseball was included in the Olympic program from 1992, but was dropped, along with Softball, after the Beijing 2008 Games. Team Australia’s best Olympic result is Silver at the Athens 2004 behind Cuba.
Team Australia’s current high performance pinnacle events are the IBAF Premier 12 and Major League Baseball’s World Baseball Classic, both held every four years. Baseball Australia is working closely with the Australian Institute of Sport to realign operations towards Olympic capabilities with a look towards 2020.
The final decision on the sports to be included, in line with the Olympic Charter, will be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.
Read Tokyo 2020's full announcement here