Monday, May 17, 2004

Baseball to return for 2008 Beijing Olympics

OTTAWA - The International Olympic Committee today announced baseball will remain part of the program for at least one more turn of the Summer Olympics, ensuring the sport's participation at the 2008 Beijing Games.

"As we continue preparing for this summer's Games in Athens, it is reassuring to hear our program can now also look long-term to qualifying for future Olympic Games," said Ray Carter, president of Baseball Canada.

All 28 federations whose sports currently make up the Olympic program will be represented at the 2008 Summer Olympics, provided they sign an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, IOC President Jacques Rogge said.

The International Baseball Federation unanimously adopted the World Anti-Doping Code in October 2003, and the IBAF's anti-doping rules implementing provisions of the code took effect May 1.

The IOC also stated it will determine the future of the Olympic program for 2012 at its session in Singapore in July 2005. Rogge added the program would be re-evaluated and revised after each Olympic Games.

Baseball has been recognized as a medal sport since 1992 after being held as a demonstration event in both the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.

Canada's baseball team will participate in this summer's Olympics Aug. 13-29 in Athens, marking the team's first appearance since 1988 in Seoul.

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