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The 15-member board will meet in Berlin on Aug. 13-14 to choose two sports to submit for ratification by the full membership in Copenhagen.

Baseball and softball are seeking a return to the Olympics after being voted off the program for the 2012 London Games in 2005. The five others failed to get enough votes in 2005 for Olympic inclusion.

The IOC program commission has been evaluating the seven sports, attending their major events and assessing their strengths and weaknesses.

Golf and rugby sevens have received the highest reviews from the panel, a senior Olympic official with direct knowledge of the findings told the AP. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been completed or made public, said roller sports figured higher than baseball and softball.

Still, the decision in August will be up to the executive board, making Monday’s presentations crucial.

“It’s a very open race,” Rogge said. “There are supporters of all seven sports both inside and outside the EB (executive board). I can say any of the seven would be good in the Olympic program.”

He said the IOC is looking beyond the individual merits of each sport.

“We are looking for an added value — wide appeal, especially for young people, universality, whether infrastructure is costly or not,” Rogge said. “And, first and foremost, there must be a big fight against doping. This is a very important aspect.

“We also are looking to see if the sport or two sports fit well into the puzzle of the Olympic program. Do they bring something extra to the cohesion of the Olympic program?”

Golf is bringing retired Swedish great Annika Sorenstam, winner of 10 majors, and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie to push its case.

Softball’s team in Lausanne includes American star Jessica Mendoza, an Olympic gold and silver medallist who has been helping develop the sport in the Middle East and other areas.

“One of our biggest strengths is that the Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport,” she said. “Little girls grow up dreaming of becoming an Olympian.

“An athlete’s goal is to represent your country in the Olympic Games. Adding 120 female athletes to the docket also does a lot for equality in the Olympics.

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