WSBC Reacts to MLB Decision; IOC Announces Session Schedule; NOCs News

MLB Won’t Alter Season for Olympics

The World Baseball and Softball Confederation downplays Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig’s announcement that the league will not alter its schedule for the Olympics—like it had done in years past.

Stopping the season would be a boost for baseball’s Olympic bid, following in the mould of the National Hockey League which has allowed its stars to play in the Winter Olympics.

However, a statement from WSBC co-president Riccardo Fracarri notes that Selig already endorsed baseball in the Olympics and the confederation supports his decision.

"We have the full and unwavering support of MLB and all the pro leagues around the world. They are fully behind our campaign to get baseball and softball returned to the Olympic Programme—and they are supporting us in a number of substantial ways.

"We share a vision of giving every boy and girl in the world a chance to play this great game—and to harness the power of the Olympic Games to inspire them to take up our sport and strive for excellence.

"Commissioner Selig is on record in support of baseball and softball together in the Olympic Games, and we fully support the Commissioner’s commitment to MLB’s loyal fans.

"As the globalization trends of baseball and softball continue to accelerate, we are convinced that baseball and softball, through their excitement, universality and popularity, will add enormous appeal and value to the 2020 Olympic Games and those beyond—as such, we look forward to making that case to the Olympic Family."

"We have the full and unwavering support of MLB and all the pro leagues around the world. They are fully behind our campaign to get baseball and softball returned to the Olympic Programme—and they are supporting us in a number of substantial ways.

"We share a vision of giving every boy and girl in the world a chance to play this great game—and to harness the power of the Olympic Games to inspire them to take up our sport and strive for excellence.

"Commissioner Selig is on record in support of baseball and softball together in the Olympic Games, and we fully support the Commissioner’s commitment to MLB’s loyal fans.

"As the globalization trends of baseball and softball continue to accelerate, we are convinced that baseball and softball, through their excitement, universality and popularity, will add enormous appeal and value to the 2020 Olympic Games and those beyond—as such, we look forward to making that case to the Olympic Family."

"We have the full and unwavering support of MLB and all the pro leagues around the world. They are fully behind our campaign to get baseball and softball returned to the Olympic Programme—and they are supporting us in a number of substantial ways.

"We share a vision of giving every boy and girl in the world a chance to play this great game—and to harness the power of the Olympic Games to inspire them to take up our sport and strive for excellence.

"Commissioner Selig is on record in support of baseball and softball together in the Olympic Games, and we fully support the Commissioner’s commitment to MLB’s loyal fans.

"As the globalization trends of baseball and softball continue to accelerate, we are convinced that baseball and softball, through their excitement, universality and popularity, will add enormous appeal and value to the 2020 Olympic Games and those beyond—as such, we look forward to making that case to the Olympic Family."

On Thursday, Selig said the season wouldn’t stop for the Olympics.

"Look, we can't stop our season in August. We just can't," Selig said to the Associated Press on Thursday. "You can't say to your fans: 'We'll see you in the next period of time. Your club loses some players but yours doesn't.'"

Suggestions were floated that the baseball tournament could take place during the All Star weekend but Selig also shot that idea down.

He added: "Do I wish I could? Yes. But is it practical? No."

IOC Releases Session Schedule

The schedule for the IOC Session in Buenos Aires calls for the vote for the 2020 Olympic host city as the first order of business on September 7. The announcement is scheduled for 5:00 PM Buenos Aires time

A vote on the sports program for the 2020 Games comes September 8.

The election of a new IOC President is scheduled for 11:00 AM on September 10.

The IOC Executive Board will meet September 3-4.

POA Chief Appeals to PM

Syed Hasan Arif, president of the Pakistan Olympic Association has called on the country’ caretaker Prime Minister to help prevent sanctions being levied on the POA.

Arif was elected to a third term as POA chief recently, but a court ruled him ineligible for a third term citing a government ruling and a rival Olympic Committee was formed. The Olympic Charter forbids government interference in National Olympic Committees.

"Pakistan cannot afford ban from International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to rifts between the POA and government sports organizations," Arif was quoted by local media as saying. "therefore, we have requested the Prime Minister [Mir Hazar Khan Khoso] and the Minister of Sports to play their role in resolving this issue so that we may be able to save Pakistan’s image internationally."

In February the IOC met with Pakistani officials to begin discussions preventing a ban.

"I have been trying to prevent a Pakistan sports from ban but some people, who claim to be sports lovers and promoters, are trying to damage Pakistan and POA’s image internationally," Arif added. "They must think about the country and its sports instead of gaining their own personal interests and benefits."

IOC Member Loses NOC Election

IOC member Habib Macki lost his re-election for president of the Oman Olympic Committee.

Khalid Bin Muhammad Al Zubair won the three-way election, with Macki finishing last garnering two votes. Al Zubair is chairman of the Oman Tennis Association.

Macki became OOC president in 2012.

Taha Bin Sulaiman Al Kosheri is the new secretary general.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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