Nuzman Moves to Clarify Baseball/Softball 2020 Bid Support

Carlos Nuzman has denied offering his exclusive support to the joint baseball/softball bid and suggested that the claims were a ‘misunderstanding.’

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) claimed the President of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) member had sent a letter to the Brazilian Baseball and Softball Confederation that read: “You can count on my support to reinstate the sports [starting with] the 2020 Olympic Games Programme.”

The news bought confusion because Nuzman had previously offered his support to wrestling and the IOC member told insidethegames that he had not offered exclusive support to baseball/softball.

Nuzman said: “About this, I sent a note yesterday, it was a misunderstanding with our national federation, because since the beginning I’ve supported wrestling. It was a misinterpretation.

“I have nothing against baseball, softball or any other sports, but I think we have to keep wrestling in the Games, that’s my opinion.”

After hearing that Nuzman had backed their bid, President of International Baseball Federation (IBAF) Riccardo Fraccari had exclusively told iSportconnect:  “Any time a sports leader has positive words for you, it’s always a tremendous honour.

“It validates all the hard work and dedication that we have put into building the case to provide our athletes the opportunity to become Olympians in 2020 and for them to be alongside the world’s elite athletes from the other exciting 27 sports in 2020.”

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