The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Softball fails in bid to be reinstated for 2012 London Olympics
02.09.2006 | Softball
The International Olympic Committee, meeting today in Turin, Italy, rejected pleas from both softball and baseball to be admitted to the 2012 London Olympic Games program. Both sports failed to get a required majority for putting the proposal to a vote. IOC members voted against considering softball 47-43 and against considering baseball 46-42.
Softball and baseball were eliminated from the Olympic program in July at the IOC meeting in Singapore, but remain on the 2008 Beijing Games program.
Support of at least 51 percent of the International Olympic Committee members was required before reinstatement could go to a secret ballot. After that, each sport would have needed majority backing in a second vote.
According to IOC President Jacques Rogge, this was the last chance for the sports to be readmitted in time for the London Games. They will be eligible to reapply later for the 2016 games.
Statement from Cat Osterman, Texas senior pitcher and gold medalist at 2004 Olympics with Team USA
"It's a tragedy for softball because the Olympics are the sport's biggest stage. Boys grow up wanting to be Major League Baseball players, and being an Olympian is all girls have to dream about right now. I also feel it's a disgrace to all the people who worked so hard and paved the way for softball to be an Olympic sport. All we can do is to continue to push for 2016 now."
Statement from Texas head coach Connie Clark
"It's disappointing to hear the news that the next generation of softball players won't have the opportunity to have an Olympic dream. When you're talking to younger players - be it recruiting, at camps or at clinics - their dream is to be part of the Olympics. The decision is out of our control and all we can hope is that the powers that be in the softball circles get to work to get the sport reinstated for 2016."
Statement from Amateur Softball Association (ASA)
"We are disappointed the IOC elected not to reconsider their decision last July to eliminate softball from the 2012 Olympic Program.
"Their decision was procedural in nature and should have been focused on the merits of our sport. Softball is played in 130 countries worldwide and nearly half of those countries compete in order to gain berths in World Championship and Olympic competitions. Softball has continued to send its best athletes to the Olympics and women's softball athletes have had zero positive drug tests since the sports inception.
"It's a sad day for everyone in our sport who have dedicated their lives to getting softball in the Olympic Games. It took over 30 years to get softball on the Olympic program the first time so we are going to do whatever is necessary to see that it is back on the program in 2016.
"Softball has been recognized as an Olympic sport since 1991 and was included on the Olympic program in 1996. The sport is currently at an all-time high in world wide participation and television coverage. In an effort to continue the growth of softball, the Amateur Softball Association will be hosting the II World Cup of Softball, July 13-17 in Oklahoma City, Okla. The top teams in the world will be participating. Games from World Cup II will be televised not only domestically on ESPN but also internationally via a partnership with ESPN International.
"The most recent decision by the IOC has placed an even greater importance on the World Cup. Softball fans across the globe can expect this event to take center stage in 2006 and beyond. We plan to work closely with our broadcast partners to ensure a worldwide audience and are confident something special will be planned in 2012".
"The Amateur Softball Association has historically taken a leadership position in times of both joy and heartache. This recent IOC decision will make us fight even harder"
"It is important to remember that softball is still part of the Olympic Games in 2008 and has an opportunity to demonstrate to the IOC Members that it is deserving of a place in the Olympic Games in 2016.
Statement from USOC Chairman of the Board Peter Ueberroth regarding the status of softball and baseball on the 2012 Olympic Program
"The dreams of young people from around the world who aspire to compete in the Olympic Games in softball and baseball were dealt a setback today. We are disappointed the IOC chose to not reconsider its decision to eliminate these sports from the 2012 Olympic Games program. However, we will continue working with the international federations for these two sports, along with other countries, to see that they are reinstated to the Olympic program at the earliest opportunity."