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Member
Here is an email I rec'd today.
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
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
