Olympic Briefs - Endorsements for Softball, Baseball; Irish Olympic Report

Baseball, Softball Receive Push from Americas, Europe and Japan

The heads of the baseball and softball federations tell Around the Rings they are happy with support their sports are getting.

The 32 member countries of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization have endorsed baseball and softball in their bid to rejoin the Olympics, while the Confederation of European Baseball and Japan's baseball federation are supporting a joint baseball/softball effort.

Baseball and softball, which were knocked off the Olympic program following the Beijing Olympics, are two of the seven sports vying to be part of the 2016 Summer Games. Because only two sports will get the green light when the IOC votes in October in Copenhagen, Denmark, a joint bid would allow a third sport to be approved.

"All of this support shows the global interest in two great sports and their value to the Olympic Movement," Harvey Schiller, president of the International Baseball Federation, tells Around the Rings.

Delegates from Cuba, Nicaragua and Panama were among those formally requesting reinstatement during the CACSO XLI Ordinary General Assembly Dec. 28-31 in Veracruz, Mexico.

"Baseball is the main national sport in a good amount of the countries that belong to our regional organization," Hector Cardona, president of CACSO, wrote in the resolution. "In fact, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico and Puerto Rico have been and are recognized world leaders. Many of the stars of the Major Leagues are from our region.

"Furthermore, Softball is one of the main sports in a good amount of the countries in our enrollment, especially women's softball."

Cardona noted that the IOC has "defended the deeply-rooted position of having more female participation in Olympic Games."

"We're certainly pleased that there's apparent support from a large group like that, and especially within the Americas," International Softball Federation president Don Porter tells ATR. "The IOC does a good job of trying to bring to everyone's attention the importance of having more females having opportunities and participation and representation, but many other entities don't always pursue that."

Schiller said the endorsement shows how important his sport is to society. "It really is in the makeup and the fiber of many countries," he said. "It weaves itself into the everyday life of many, many people."

Martin Miller, president of the Confederation of European Baseball, said that about 30 of the 38 European countries are joint federations and "we are sure that our sport(s) will not exist today or tomorrow" if the two disciplines are separate.

"To be clear CEB would like to see a joint bid and may even a joint federation of Softball and Baseball as the "International bat and ball federation" - just an example," Miller wrote. "This is possible because many other sports like volleyball, skiing, etc. do so."

Schiller also received a letter from Masatake Matsuda, president of the baseball federation of Japan, endorsing a joint bid.

"Both sports have many things in common and conform exactly to the spirits of the Olympics: dignity, integrity and fair play," said Matsuda, who is also a 1st Vice President of the IBAF. "We believe that such a joint bid should enhance the chance for each of our two sports, baseball and softball, to be selected by the IOC compared to a bidding on its own."

Paucity of Irish Medals Blamed on Lack of Relationships

Ireland might do better in the Olympic medals count if sports organizations work together under the leadership of the country's sports minister.

Ireland did not win more medals in Beijing because the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council do not having a working relationship. That’s the word from a report the Olympic council commissioned.

Ireland won three medals last year, which the report lauded. Even so, the report says Ireland was under performing when compared to similar countries.

The report said the Institute of Sport is not yet up to standard in producing quality athletes, and that the OCI’s claim it could not contribute to the institute’s planning was correct.

Planning for a partnership among all organizations charged with sending athletes to the Olympics should be overseen by the sports minister, the report said.

India Criticized for Delays in Commonwealth Games Preparations

Members of the Indian Parliament have criticized organizers of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi for construction delays.

Sitaram Yechury, who chairs a committee on transportation and culture, said "the 2010 Games are drawing near and so many projects are yet to be initiated, let alone being completed." He added that a "casual" attitude toward the largest sporting event in India’s history marked games preparations.

Indian Olympic Association chief and head of the 2010 organizing committee defended the work rate saying there is "no doubt" that the Commonwealth Games will happen on time with "world-class infrastructure."

The sports minister admitted "some" projects were behind schedule, adding "we are monitoring the progress every month at the Co-ordination Committee meeting. Every effort is being made so that these will be completed in time. It's like organizing an Indian marriage. This is India and we do it like this."

Mike Whitmarsh, 46

Mike Whitmarsh, a silver medalist in beach volleyball at the 1996 Olympics died last Wednesday. Whitmarsh committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. He was 46.

"We are shocked and saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of Mike Whitmarsh," USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said in a statement. "The Olympic volleyball family and all of USA Volleyball have lost a wonderful person and remarkable athlete and performer.

"Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to his family for their loss at this tragic time."

Whitmarsh is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two children.

Written by Ed Hula III.