Baseball and softball have vowed to make another pitch to be readmitted to the Olympics after striking out on Sunday.
Riccardo Fraccari Air Force 1 Black , the president of the International Baseball Federation, told Reuters that baseball and softball were not giving up hope of getting back in the Olympics.
The two sports joined forces as the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) to bid against wrestling and squash for the one available berth on the Olympic programme for the 2020 and 2024 Games.
But they missed out after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members voted overwhelming to reinstate wrestling. Baseball-softball finished second in the three-way ballot.
"Congratulations to wrestling and FILA. It's an honour to have presented before the IOC, alongside great competitors like squash and wrestling," Fraccari said.
"The WBSC will continue working hard and will continue listening and learning from the IOC, so that baseball and softball can come under the Olympic umbrella to serve and strengthen the Olympic Movement, as our sport expands and globalises further."
The odds were stacked against baseball and softball winning the vote. Wrestling was only kicked off the Olympic programme seven months ago Air Force 1 , but immediately introduced a raft of reforms to win back its place.
Baseball and softball were on the Olympic programme from 1992 to 2008 but were voted out in a secret ballot in 2005, becoming the first sports to be removed from the Olympics since polo in 1936.
FAILED ATTEMPTS
Although they were still allowed to participate at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the sports have failed in their attempts to get back in since.
"While we are obviously disappointed with the decision of the International Olympic Committee to not move forward with baseball and softball for inclusion on the Olympic program in 2020, we continue to believe the combined efforts of baseball and softball provide a great platform for international competition," USA Baseball executive director Paul Seiler said in a statement.
"USA Baseball will continue to promote baseball and softball both internationally and domestically through our various initiatives, and we look forward to the opportunity to return to the Olympic program in the future."
The IOC have never specified exactly why the sports were dropped Cheap Nike Air Force 1 , the most commonly cited reasons are baseball's refusal to comply with all the World Anti-Doping Agency rules and the absence of Major League Baseball players from the Olympics.
However, with MLB recently cracking down on doping, suspending more than a dozen players linked to the Biogenesis scandal, and pledging their support to the Olympic movement, baseball-softball remain optimistic of a recall.
At their presentation to the IOC on Sunday, WBSC co-president Don Porter gave an emotional speech Nike Air Force 1 Sale , choking up while tears welled in his eyes.
"I hope today that you will find a place for those little girls in the Olympics and help restore their dreams," Porter told the members.
Tony Castro, the son of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, also addressed the IOC in his role with the WBSC, as a demonstration of the sport's global appeal and popularity in some smaller countries.
"In my country Cuba, it is the top sport and the cement of a social tradition" he said.
(Agencies)
NAIROBI Nike Air Force 1 Mens , Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- World 1,500m silver medalist Faith Chepng'etich of Kenya is hopeful she will get to the medal podium on her second attempt at the Olympic Games.
Chepng'etich, who turns 22 on Jan. 10, was disappointed after failing to make it to the finals at the London Olympics, but she has since atoned for the miss by claiming silver at the Beijing World Championships last August.
But it is the gold medal in Rio Games that she is targeting as she launches her training for the Olympics.
"I have learnt a lot since my first Olympics four years ago. I was still too naive and young, but I have been pushed and bruised in the four years and now am ready for the challenge in Rio Nike Air Force 1 Womens ," said Chepng'etich.
Indeed, it will be another battle pitting Chepng'etich and favourite Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia in the four lap race.
There is also a small chance that Olympic bronze medalist Hellen Obiri will overcome her rusty form, after a year on sabbatical to deliver her baby, to contest for the medals in Rio.
"The Kenya team will always be strong. Even if Obiri doesn't make it, the team will always have talented athletes," she added.
For now Nike Air Force 1 Suede , Chepng'etich will be seeking to boost her endurance and will put her best leg forward during the Bomet County Cross country championships in Sotik in northwest Kenya on Saturday.
Chepng'etich is keen to compete at the Africa Cross Country championships in Yaounde, Cameroon in March and will launch her campaign in her home event this weekend.
Athletics Kenya (AK) has said that the Bomet meet, being the last in the six leg circuit, will attract all top runners as they seek to gauge their fitness ahead of the nationals next month in Nairobi.
Those expected to compete include Sandra Chebet, Iveen Chepkemoi, Daisy Caroline and Miriam Cherop in the junior women 6km race.
Caroline Chepkoech Nike Air Force 1 White , the younger sister to former World 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono, will face stiff challenge from Sheila Chepkoech in the 10 km senior women category.
Dominic Kiptarus, Geofrey Korir, Alfred Ngeno, Elijah Kositany Nike Air Force 1 Black , Wesley Salel will battle it out at the 8km junior men's category while in the 10km senior men, Emmanuel Kipsang, Hosea Macharinyang, Cleophas Ngetich and Stephen Arita will be the athletes to beat.
"This last event shall give a lead on who shall make the Kenya team for this year's Africa Cross-country Championships in Yaoundé," ASK president Jack Tuwei said.
Sam Presti was in the dark like everyone else.
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