Special Olympics Softball Tournament Boosts 2020 Olympic Bid

The World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) have pointed to the Special Olympics Softball Tournament in New Jersey as proof that the Baseball/Softball 2020 Olympic Games bid would appeal to athletes of all backgrounds.

The tournament brings together the best Special Olympics softball teams and players from USA, along with international teams from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico also participating.

Men and women take part in the competition and with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voting for a new sport on 8 September in Buenos Aires, the WBSC said the New Jersey event highlights their bids’ strengths.

Don Porter (pictured), co-President of the WBSC said: “We strongly support the IOC’s Sport For All philosophy and programmes, and our vision is to work with the IOC and the Olympic Movement to give every boy and girl the chance to play ball and play sport.

“Adding a sport to the Olympic program that women across the world enjoy to play, like Softball, will give more women more opportunities to be empowered through sport, and help to make the Olympic Movement and sport more relevant to millions of women everywhere.

“This will inspire future generations of girls, and women to take up sport.”

Baseball/Softball faces competition from Squash and Wrestling to be included in the 2020 Olympic Games.

The IOC will elect the sport, a host city and a new President at their 125^th Session in Buenos Aires.