Will softball be in the 2024 Olympics?

By Jayson Panganiban April 09, 2024 17:23

Photo by Jacob Ford/AP

Softball, a sport with a remarkable history in the Olympic Games, has recently faced uncertainty regarding its inclusion in the 2024 Olympics.

The History of Softball in the Olympics

Softball became an official Olympic sport in 1996 and was a part of the full Olympic program through 2008.

But it was then dropped along with baseball for the London and Rio Games, citing reasons such as insufficient global participation and the absence of top players.

Despite its intermittent presence in the Olympics, softball has seen moments of glory, particularly with the U.S. winning gold in 1996, 2000, and 2004.

The Decision-Making Process

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) oversees all aspects of the Olympic Games, including the decision of which sports will be included.

The IOC's Executive Board proposes which sports will be included, and the rest of the IOC then votes on the proposals.

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, it has been decided that softball and baseball will not be included, disappointing many fans and athletes worldwide.

Reasons for Exclusion

The exclusion of softball from the 2024 Olympics is not attributed to a single reason.

The International Olympic Committee stated that the sport didn't feature enough global participation, and the best players weren't participating.

This decision has sparked disappointment among supporters of the sport, especially considering its popularity among young people in the United States, where it features in the top five most popular high school sports for girls.

Hope for the Future

Despite the disappointment surrounding its exclusion from the 2024 Olympics, there is optimism for the sport's future in the Olympics.

Fans are hopeful that softball will make a comeback in the 2028 Olympics when Los Angeles hosts the event. This hope is shared by many supporters, as showcased by their social media posts expressing the desire to see softball back in the Olympic program in the future.

Significance of Softball in the Global Sports Landscape

Softball holds significant popularity among young people in the United States, with approximately 2.2 million young participants aged 13-17.

Also, the sport has a strong following in Asia and a growing one in Central America, further highlighting its global appeal.

The sport's inclusion in the Olympics is critical to its future as a global sport, as it provides a platform for athletes to showcase their talent on a worldwide stage.

Softball's Impact Beyond the Olympics

The impact of softball extends beyond its presence in the Olympics. Its popularity has contributed to the growth of college softball, with TV ratings for the recent Women's College World Series setting records.

The sport's absence from the Olympics would mean that top players have few incentives to extend their careers after college, signifying the broader implications of its Olympic status on the sport's ecosystem.

The Road Ahead

As the softball community reflects on the exclusion of the sport from the 2024 Olympics, efforts are being made to showcase the sport's value and potential for future inclusion.

The hope is to use the upcoming Olympics as an opportunity to demonstrate the greatness of the sport, with an eye on potential inclusion in future editions of the Games.

Comparison with Other Sports

In the context of the Olympic Games, the decision-making process for including sports involves evaluating various factors, including gender equality, utilisation of existing facilities, and the sports' popularity globally

The IOC aims to engage with new athlete and fan communities through the selection of sports for the Olympic program.

The exclusion of softball from the 2024 Olympics has evoked disappointment among supporters, given the sport's rich history and global appeal.

But the hope remains strong for its potential inclusion in future editions of the Games, particularly in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The significance of softball as a sport with a strong following and its impact beyond the Olympics underscore the importance of its presence in the global sports landscape.