The significant part for athletics is the recommendation that racewalks be excluded from the 2008 games in Beijing. The report cites "the judging difficulties experienced in the recent editions of the Olympic Games, and noted the resulting poor image of the racewalk events. In addition, the operational difficulties for OCOGs in conducting racewalk events were noted."
Did you know that the Olympic Games includes a cross country run? The cross country section of the Modern Pentathlon will also be lost under the proposals, as the Modern Pentathlon would be axed, along with Baseball, Softball, and some disciplines in Canoe-Kayak, Equestrian and Wrestling.
The exclusions are part of an attempt to admit new sports while capping the number of athletes and events to be held at the games.
The Report starts by stating the principles upon which applications for new sports will be considered, which include Global public and media interest, The social value of a sport, a direct emphasis on youth and development; objectivity, fairness and transparency in the judging system, and the long term viability of the sport. Specifically excluded will be sports involving mechanical propulsion (ie motor racing) and 'mind sports' such as bridge and chess.
The commission recommended that no new sports be admitted to the Athens olympics, the first time in 20 years that the programme has not grown.
Sports to have numbers limited will include sailing, synchronised swimming, shooting, rowing and badminton (mixed doubles).
Sports which have applied for inclusion but will be bounced are: Air Sports (?), Billiards, Boules, Dance Sport, Bowling, Racquetball, Waterski, Squash, Underwater Sports and Wushu. Boxing is allowed to continue but will be subject to future review, with women's boxing excluded.
Winners are to be golf and Rugby 7s, which are recommended for inclusion in future Olympic Games.
A link to the report will be posted here when it shows up on the web.
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Report by: Ian Kemp ian@coolrunning.co.nz
