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President of the International Olympic
Committee Jacques Rogge watches matchs of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
softball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. (Xinhua/Gaesang
Dawa)
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BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Don Porter, President of
International Softball Federation (ISF), said here Wednesday that he was
optimistic about the sport's reinstatement onto the 2016 Olympics especially
after the attendence of two honored guests from International Olympic Committee
(IOC).
IOC's president Jacques Rogge and honorary president
Juan Antonio Samaranch both came to the Fengtai softball field on Wednesday
afternoon, watching the game between Japan and Australia.
"I think he (Rogge) is enjoying the game. He has been
very busy and tired as many events and funtions needed him to be there, but he
still spent time to see our sport," Porter told Xinhua after the game.
"The same feeling also came to Mr. Samaranch. It was
good to have them there because our sport needs more support," Porter added.
Softball, which had been a medal sport at the Atlanta
Olympics in 1996, was voted out of the program of the 2012 London Games after
failing to garner more than half of the votes from the 100-plus IOC members at
its 117th Session in 2005.
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President of the International Olympic
Committee Jacques Rogge £¨L£© watches the bronze medal match between
Australia and Japan of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games softball event in
Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. (Xinhua/Gaesang Dawa)
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ISF
then launched the namely "Back Softball Compaign", aiming to get the sport
reinstated to the program of 2016 Games in next year's IOC vote.
Softball will compete with baseball, golf, rugby,
karate, squash and roller sports to prove worthy of inclusion in the 2016
Olympic lineup.
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Tanya Harding of Australia pitches
during the match Japan vs Australia in women's final of the Beijing 2008
Olympic Games Softball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. Japan beat
Australia 4-3 and advanced to the grand final. (Xinhua/Gaesang
Dawa)
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Despite
a fierce competition, Porter was confident that his sport will beat the others
with ISF's hard work.
"I am very optimistic especially after their
attendence today. They have seen a great game, our athletes' good performance
and also big fanatic crowds. It is really good for the sport and softball will
have a good chance to return.
"But there are many work for us to do. We will work
hard in next years to let the majority of the IOC members see our sport and let
more people understand what a great sport it is. We will work harder," said
Porter.
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Natalie Ward of Australia vies with Rei Nishiyama of Japan during the match Japan VS Australia in women's final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Softball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. Japan beat Australia 4-3 and advanced to the grand final. Australia won the bronze. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
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U.S. dominance poses no threat to
Olympic softball's survival
BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Is it true that Olympic softball might have a
better chance of survival if the U.S. team were to lose the gold medal in
Beijing? The governor of the sport doesn't think so.
"Dominance by one team or athlete in any one sport is what
goes on in Olympic competition," Don Porter, president of the International
Softball Federation (ISF) told Xinhua on Saturday.
"What we need to do is introduce the American experience
into other teams. We shouldn't blame who is strong in softball, but (need) to
improve the level of competition in the weaker team," he added. Full story
