The 117th IOC Session in Singapore voted on Friday to include 26 of the 28 current Olympic sports on the programme of the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012. The Session decided that baseball and softball will remain on the list of Olympic sports as noted in the Olympic Charter, rule 46, but will not be on the programme for 2012. The two sports are, however, eligible for inclusion in the programme of the 2016 Games. The IOC Executive Board will convene on Saturday to decide whether any of the five candidate sports (Roller Sports, World Squash, Golf, Karate or Rugby) should be put forward to the Session, who will then vote on whether the sport(s) could be added to the list of Olympic sports and then potentially be included on the programme of the 2012 Games.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM USA BASEBALL REGARDING THAT DECISION

"We are obviously disappointed in the decision reached by the General Assembly of the International Olympic Committee in Singapore," said Mike Gaski, President of USA Baseball. "Our sport has worked tirelessly over the course of the last three years to address the concerns expressed by the IOC in 2002, and felt as though we had done a good job of doing so."

At the International Olympic Committee Session in Mexico City in 2002, put forth were baseball, softball and modern pentathlon for removal from the Olympic Programme. That effort was defeated, and the IOC then opened up an evaluation of all 28 sports, which led to the process of a voting procedure at the 2005 IOC Session in Singapore.

"Our focus now is to prepare for our Olympic qualification for the Games in Beijing (which begins this fall)," continued Paul Seiler, Executive Director/CEO of USA Baseball. "As we look forward, our responsibility will continue to be on the athletes we prepare to represent our country in international competition, at all levels. Additionally, we will continue to work with our fellow member federations around the world to ensure the return of baseball to the Olympic Programme."

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