2009.08.15
Softball snubbed again
Snubbing softball, International Olympic leaders voted Thursday to recommend adding rugby and golf to the 2016 Olympics. Olympic officials had already booted softball from the 2012 Summer Games, and now they have rejected softball yet again. For golf? Come on. Like Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington really need more international exposure. For softball players, an Olympic medal has been the greatest achievement of their careers. That won’t be the case for someone such as Tiger, who I’m sure would understandbly value winning majors and the Ryder Cup over any Olympic golf. That’s why golf does not belong in the Olympics at the expense of softball. — Mark Berman
Softball is truly a USA sport in both size and popularity. The olympics is not all about the USA. Golf has a great international appeal and lure than softball could ever achieve. It was good decision.
Comment by R.C — August 17, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
Someone must be on the good-old-boy committee to think golf is more exciting than ladies softball. Who wants to watch slow walking and slow playing players? Yes, golf is a game of precision but it lacks the excitement and enthusiasm of youth. Golf in many ways is considered an elitist sport much like many of the Olympic equestrian events. Just a little foresight, I’ll pick the player that has a custom fitted set of clubs over John Q. Public with a set of clubs from Walmart. Just a guess, a pro will win.
Comment by Bob Rowe — August 18, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
If the IOC did not consider the USA the likely Gold winners then they might instate it. The ‘Rest of the World’ doesn’t like to see America succeed at anything. This is just one more example of anti-American bias and the IOC’s corruption.
Comment by Craig — August 18, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
Craig -
I pretty much agree. Throughout its history, the IOC has consistently voted against anything that could in the tiniest way be seen as beneficial to the US – even if that meant doing something that was detrimental to the games, overall. Which this decision is. No wonder the IOC approved rugby – they know the US lags far behind in that sport, and has virtually zero chance of medaling. On the other hand, the US would be a strong medal favorite in baseball, and a prohibitive favorite for gold in softball. Naturally, we can’t have that – gotta give the rest of the world a chance. Let’s keep letting China rack up medals in “sports” that most Americans consider backyard diversions – ie badminton and ping pong. What’s next – yard darts?
The IOC has done it to us again – remember the ’72 basketball game, anyone?
Comment by Spartan80 — August 22, 2009 @ 2:18 am