The International Olympic Committee (IOC) hasn’t chosen a host city for the 2020 Olympics yet but eight sports don’t care where it is…. they just want to be part of the action.

At its latest Session in Durban, South Africa, the IOC Executive Board agreed on a shortlist of standby sports - baseball, softball, karate, roller sports, squash, sports climbing, wakeboard and wushu.

One of the eight could be added to the 2020 program after a vote at the next IOC Session in Buenos Aires in 2013. Or the IOC could vote for the status quo.

So the lobbying begins.

Four sports did not make the cut, surfing, dance, bowling and netball.

And 20/20 Cricket which was considered a certain Olympic inclusion only a matter of months ago because of its massive television audience and popularity in countries like India has suddenly disappeared off the radar without explanation.

Golf and Rugby 7’s are safe because they have been re-instated til 2020.

Softball’s chances of a recall to the Olympic family in 2020 look good as the IOC continues to get more women involved in the Games.

With the organisation committed to gender equality it was a shock when softball was ditched along with baseball in a vote at the 2005 IOC Session in Singapore.

AOC President John Coates has always said he would support his member sports in a vote, Softball is one of his member sports.

Despite not making the cut, surfing has not given up being part of the Olympic Games. They are now aiming for 2024.

There are 70 surfing federations around the world who are serious about Olympic involvement.

It has the youth audience which the IOC is chasing.

Mike Tancred
AOC - Durban