Three Sports Put Olympic Aspirations on Hold

(ATR)World Bowling president Kevin Dornberger tellsAround the Ringsthat he is disappointed Tokyo 2020will not recommend the sport to be included at the Tokyo Olympics.

"Personally I thought we would do better."

On Sept. 28, the Tokyo 2020 Additional Event Program Panelproposed 18 additional events in five sports for inclusion at the Olympics.

Baseball/softball, karate, skateboard, sports climbing and surfing were chosen torepresent "both traditional and emerging, youth-focused events."

Squash, which failed in its last bid to join the Olympics, misses out this time too, along with bowling and wushu.

In a statement to Reuters, the head of the World Squash Federation (WSF) said that he was devastated for the sport's millions of followers after squash was again overlooked for the Games.

"I know I speak on behalf of the millions of squash players around the world for whom the opportunity of seeing their sport participate in the Olympics has been an absolute priority - and, like me, they will be heartbroken."

WSF chief Narayana Ramachandran added,"However, this is not the end for squash. Our sport, played by vast numbers week in and week out, flourishes at every level from recreational to events around the world.

"We will go from strength to strength while we continue to target participation at a future date in the Games."

Anthony Goh, executive vice-president of the International Wushu Federation, told ATRin a statement that leaders were not entirely shocked by Tokyo 2020's decision.

"We were hoping for the best, but we were also prepared for the worst."

"Initially we thought they would recommend only three, so five was unexpected. We were somewhat disappointed, but not totally surprised."

Goh added, "We certainly will continue our efforts for the 2024 Olympics, and our efforts will only get stronger as we move on."

Dornberger tells ATR thatright now it is "too soon to say" whether bowling will vie for inclusion at the 2024 Olympic Games.

In a statement released on Monday, he added, "For World Bowling this remains a huge milestone in pursuing our Olympic quest and we believe that this has laid the foundations for a brighter future ahead.For World Bowling this remains a huge milestone in pursuing our Olympic quest and we believe that this has laid the foundations for a brighter future ahead.

"The process has made our sport grow stronger and we have learned some invaluable lessons from working on our campaign. While we may not have been successful this time, we will continue to develop our sport worldwide.

"As part of our Bowling World Plan, we have many initiatives still to be implemented such as fostering and encouraging the development of youth participation, especially for girls. We strongly believe that this will result in increasing the worldwide recognition of our sport.

"The brightest days of bowling are ahead of us."For World Bowling this remains a huge milestone in pursuing our Olympic quest and we believe that this has laid the foundations for a brighter future ahead.

"The process has made our sport grow stronger and we have learned some invaluable lessons from working on our campaign. While we may not have been successful this time, we will continue to develop our sport worldwide.

"As part of our Bowling World Plan, we have many initiatives still to be implemented such as fostering and encouraging the development of youth participation, especially for girls. We strongly believe that this will result in increasing the worldwide recognition of our sport.

"The brightest days of bowling are ahead of us."

"The process has made our sport grow stronger and we have learned some invaluable lessons from working on our campaign. While we may not have been successful this time, we will continue to develop our sport worldwide.

"The brightest days of bowling are ahead of us."

The IOC Executive Board is expected to discuss the Additional Event Panel's proposal at its meeting in December.

The final decision on the number and makeup of new sports and events for the 2020 Olympics will be made at the IOC Session in Rio next August.

Written byNicole Bennett

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