IOC Vote on Softball

[fastball]

February 9, 2006

 

Honorable Members of the ASA Council:

 

Brian McCall has just called from Italy where he is working on
the Winter Olympics to inform us that softball and baseball failed
in their attempt to be placed on the London 2012 Olympic Program.
The vote was 43 in favor of softball, 47 against.

 

I understand that softball had numerous speakers make presentations
on the Assembly floor in favor of softball being reinstated.
Those against us campaigned not on the merits, or lack of merits
of our sport, but on the fact that the IOC just voted six months
ago on this issue and that it should not be revisited and that
it would make the IOC look bad for changing their mind in such
a short period of time. It appears that strategy won out today.

 

It is too soon to say what our next steps will be. We are still
an Olympic Sport, albeit that we are not on the 2012 Program.
We will compete for our 4th consecutive gold medal in Beijing
in 2008. I know that the British Olympic Organizing Committee
was working on our behalf and we are excited that Great Britain
is scheduled to play in World Cup II in OKC later this year.


 

This is a tremendous blow to women's sports worldwide and I am
saddened by the decision. Softball has grown worldwide and we
have developed a viable television audience in the United States
and in many other countries.

 

At this time I do not know if we have any other options. I will
keep you informed on any situation that arises relevant to this
issue.

 

I wish the news would have been different, but it is my style
to never give up and I will do everything I can to get our sport
back on the Olympic Program. I know that I can count on you for
your continued support of our sport.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Ron Radigonda

Executive Director 

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