Special Report: Inside Look into Bidding Sports for 2020 Olympics
March 18, 2013
On the 7th September in Buenos Aires, anabolics the IOC will make important decisions regarding the 2020 Olympic Games. On top of electing a new President and deciding which city should host the Games, erectile the Olympic top chiefs will decide which sport will be added to the 2020 programme.
In this latest report, iSportconnect has caught up with the Presidents and leading members of all the eight sports vying for a spot in 2020, to ask them the simple question; why you?
Baseball/Softball
Olympic History:
Baseball has been in the Olympics since 1904, but on an irregular basis, whilst softball was dropped from the programme in 2012, having been present between 1996 and 2008. The two sports have now joined forces to try and gain acceptance to the 2020 Games.
The Powerhouses:
It’s perhaps unsurprising that the USA is a major force, with the women’s Softball team taking silver at Beijing 2008 and the men taking bronze in Baseball. Japan’s women struck gold in Beijing, with Australia claiming bronze, whilst the South Korean and Cuban men’s teams took gold and silver in Baseball. Puerto Rico were the surprise package at the World Baseball Classic.
The Bid:
The President of International Baseball Federation (IBAF), Riccardo Fraccari explained the difficulties of their bid and merger with Softball. Gaining the support of the 125+ member federations was a tough task, before even convincing the IOC, but Fraccari believes “this merger is a very significant step forward for the development and well-being of both our sports on a global basis.”
Why Baseball/Softball?
“Most important for us at the moment is doing everything we can to demonstrate to the IOC that baseball and softball together add unique value to the Olympic Games,” said Fraccari. “Now that we are a “team”, we can say we would add a separate category to the Olympic Games: the bat and ball category, and you could say that we are almost offering the Olympic movement two sports for the price of one.”
Karate
Olympic History:
Karate has never been represented in the Olympic Games. In 2008 they were confirmed as a Recognised Sport by the IOC and were therefore in the running to take part in the 2012 Games. In 2009, at the 121st IOC voting, the sport did not receive the two-thirds majority vote they needed for inclusion.
The Powerhouses:
Japan, France, Italy, Spain and England are in the top five based on World Championships and World Games medal ratings.
The Bid:
The sport was very close to achieving the ultimate goal in their 2005 and 2009 bids. Because of this World Karate Federation President, Antonio Espinós reckons: “Since 2009 we have tremendously improved in all aspects, and we are more ready than ever. The last World Championships in November 2012 in Paris, observed by the IOC, showed and confirmed all this progress.”
Why Karate?
Espinós said: “Spectators in TV and other media, an attractive show, we appeal to the youth, we are a sport for the people, we provide educative values and Karate is easy to implement.”
Espinós also added that at a survey taken during London 2012 showed a whopping 70% of Olympic goers thought Karate was already an Olympic sport. Is 2020 their year?
Roller Sports
Olympic History:
The sport has pushed for Olympic inclusion for a number of years, but has so far been unsuccessful. In 2005 the IOC selected them as a potential sport but they missed out.
The Powerhouses:
Colombia’s Pedro Causil is a real medal threat, having picked up seven golds in 2010 at the Caribbean Central American Games and the South Anmerican Games. Belgium, South Korea, France and Italy are also very strong.
The Bid:
FIRS President Sabatino Aracu was keen to show that their bid highlighted the “values and potential” of the sport. Aracu also expressed his confidence in the bid by saying: “We are the favourite ones, without a doubt!”
Why Roller Sports?
Aracu said the IOC should pick Roller Sports because it “is a sport with a very high athletic value that assures continuous emotions.” He also said the spectacle is a big reason for Roller Sports, because after all, the Olympic Games is all about the sport and entertainment.
Sport Climbing
Olympic History:
Sport Climbing is another one to never be involved in the Olympics, but considering the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) was only created in 2007, being considered for the 2020 Games is a great achievement in itself.
The Powerhouses:
At the last Climbing World Championships in 2012, Austria, Canada and the Czech Republic came first, second and third respectively. In the women’s competitions South Korea and again Austria dominated.
The Bid:
IFSC President Marco Maria Scolaris said web visibility is their focus, as well as improving their World Championships. As he said: “The even in Paris (2012) was sold out and the competition was very good.”
Why Sport Climbing?
“Climbing is one of the basic human movements, like walking, jumping, swimming and so on,” said Scolaris. “This basic human movement is missing from the Games. So if we win the bid, the Games will be complete.” A bold statement indeed, backed up by the sport’s youth driven audience that the IOC so greatly desires.