Baseball and softball have been voted off the 2012 London Olympics.
The two sports failed to win a majority of votes in a ballot of members, at a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Singapore, and became the first sports to be axed from the Games since polo in 1936.
Their ejection allows two other sports eg golf, squash, karate, rugby sevens and roller sports to be added.
Softball federation chief Don Porter said:
"This is payback for Mexico City..They wanted us out in 2002. It has taken them three years but they have got us...We didn't expect this at all. The discussions we have had all week led us to believe we were safe to assume the program would remain unchanged for 2012...I don't want to say it's an anti-U.S. thing, but they are two native American sports."
Baseball federation president Aldo Notari said:
"The problem with baseball is that the best players are not going to the Olympics Games...But baseball is still in Beijing. It is still necessary to work for the future in 2016...Needless to say, these sports will be disappointed..But this does not disqualify them for ever...Olympic sports they are in Beijing, and Olympic sports they will remain. As such they will remain eligible for the Olympic program after 2012."
Friday, July 08, 2005
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Blair's Victory Dance
Tony Blair led the celebrations in Britain yesterday, after London beat Paris and three other cities to win the right to host the 2012 Olympics.
Over 10,000 Londoners partied, cheering and waving the Union Jack in Trafalgar Square.
As with all successful bids, the bid team promised that the Games would be the best ever; they promised that they would transform the rundown eastern part of London into a modern sporting ground.
Blair, who is in Gleneagles for the G8 summit, said:
"It's not often in this job that you punch the air and do a little jig and embrace the person next to you...It's a fantastic thing and I'm thrilled,".
When he arrived in Scotland for the G8 summit, French President Jacques Chirac said:
"Like all French people I am, of course, disappointed. Nevertheless, I wish to congratulate London and the London authorities with all my heart...And I'm going to have an opportunity shortly to pass on my warm and personal congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair,".
He then went on to the banquet hosted by the Queen where he, following on from his rude comments about British trustworthiness and cuisine, dined on humble pie and sour grapes.
The celebration in Trafalgar Square was rather apt, given the fact that the centre piece is a statue of Admiral Lord Nelson who defeated the French at the Battle of Trafalgar 200 years ago.
Now that the party is over, it is up to the bid team and the politicians to make good their promises.
I shall be watching with interest.
Over 10,000 Londoners partied, cheering and waving the Union Jack in Trafalgar Square.
As with all successful bids, the bid team promised that the Games would be the best ever; they promised that they would transform the rundown eastern part of London into a modern sporting ground.
Blair, who is in Gleneagles for the G8 summit, said:
"It's not often in this job that you punch the air and do a little jig and embrace the person next to you...It's a fantastic thing and I'm thrilled,".
When he arrived in Scotland for the G8 summit, French President Jacques Chirac said:
"Like all French people I am, of course, disappointed. Nevertheless, I wish to congratulate London and the London authorities with all my heart...And I'm going to have an opportunity shortly to pass on my warm and personal congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair,".
He then went on to the banquet hosted by the Queen where he, following on from his rude comments about British trustworthiness and cuisine, dined on humble pie and sour grapes.
The celebration in Trafalgar Square was rather apt, given the fact that the centre piece is a statue of Admiral Lord Nelson who defeated the French at the Battle of Trafalgar 200 years ago.
Now that the party is over, it is up to the bid team and the politicians to make good their promises.
I shall be watching with interest.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
London Wins Vote
In a nail biting climax to the vote in Singapore, as to who would host the 2012 Olympic Games, London stormed in with 54 votes against runners up Paris.
One in the eye for a rather cocky Chirac, who had belittled English cuisine and London's chances earlier this week.
London, bidding for the first time to stage sport's biggest event, started as outsiders but they won through in the end.
London has staged the Games in 1908 and 1948. It becomes the first city to hold the Summer Olympics three times.
Lord Coe said:
"It's just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we ever dreamed of in British sport. This was the most splendid team performance..We are taking home the biggest prize in sport."
People hugged each other in Trafalgar Square, as they watched the announcement in Singapore on a huge screen.
Champagne was sprayed around under Nelson's Column and at Waterloo station, and thousands danced in the streets after the announcement was made.
A great waste of money, in my view. However, there is something innately satisfying about beating Chirac.
Let us hope the East End of London really does benefit form these Games.
One in the eye for a rather cocky Chirac, who had belittled English cuisine and London's chances earlier this week.
London, bidding for the first time to stage sport's biggest event, started as outsiders but they won through in the end.
London has staged the Games in 1908 and 1948. It becomes the first city to hold the Summer Olympics three times.
Lord Coe said:
"It's just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we ever dreamed of in British sport. This was the most splendid team performance..We are taking home the biggest prize in sport."
People hugged each other in Trafalgar Square, as they watched the announcement in Singapore on a huge screen.
Champagne was sprayed around under Nelson's Column and at Waterloo station, and thousands danced in the streets after the announcement was made.
A great waste of money, in my view. However, there is something innately satisfying about beating Chirac.
Let us hope the East End of London really does benefit form these Games.
Voting Underway
Voting is currently underway in Singapore, as to which of the five hopeful cities will be awarded the dubious honour of hosting the 2102 Olympic Games.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
The Value of Cherie Blair
Precisley what value does the presence of Cherie Blair, in Singapore this week, add to the British bid to host the 2012 Olympics?
A cynic might argue that she is merely there on a "jolly".
A cynic might argue that she is merely there on a "jolly".
Monday, July 04, 2005
France and Britain Go Head To Head
The run up to the 2012 Olympics vote this Wednesday has become more frenetic.
The French have been upset by criticisms of their Stade de France stadium, during a London press conference. However, they have decided not to make a formal complaint.
Tony Blair, who arrived at Singapore on Sunday, is expected to meet members of the International Olympic Committee to promote the UK bid.
England football captain David Beckham is also expected to lobby for London.
The IOC executive board will meet on Monday to discuss a number of Olympic issues, such as the contract for the Games.
Paris is still the favourite to win the bid. The recent spat between Chirac and Blair, over the EU, has added zest to the competition between the two countries.
Should France lose, it is widely expected to herald the death knell for Chirac as President of France; he has already been humiliated over the EU constitution debacle.
The French have been upset by criticisms of their Stade de France stadium, during a London press conference. However, they have decided not to make a formal complaint.
Tony Blair, who arrived at Singapore on Sunday, is expected to meet members of the International Olympic Committee to promote the UK bid.
England football captain David Beckham is also expected to lobby for London.
The IOC executive board will meet on Monday to discuss a number of Olympic issues, such as the contract for the Games.
Paris is still the favourite to win the bid. The recent spat between Chirac and Blair, over the EU, has added zest to the competition between the two countries.
Should France lose, it is widely expected to herald the death knell for Chirac as President of France; he has already been humiliated over the EU constitution debacle.
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