Boost for endangered Olympic sports

The three sports under threat of losing their Olympic status have received a boost to their chances of staying in the Games.

Baseball, softball and modern pentathlon had been recommended for exclusion from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

But at a meeting in Mexico City, senior officials of the International Olympic Committee declined to make a decision or make their preferences known.

Instead the issue will be put to a secret vote by all the IOC membership later this week.

The three sports had feared that the IOC executive board would take a unilateral decision to exclude them from the Olympic programme.

'Hasty' decision

But facing increasing pressure, the IOC president, Jacques Rogge, has averted criticism by allowing the issue to go forward for a free vote by the full membership of around 120.

Many members were concerned at their possible loss of decision-making powers and felt the call for expulsion was hasty.

The sports' federations and National Olympic Committees had sent letters to the president expressing unease at the process.

Baseball and softball have a large following in North America, the Caribbean and East Asia.

Modern pentathlon is one of the traditional sports and was created by the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. It was a sell-out in Sydney two years ago.

Growth warning

But the issue will serve as a warning to all Olympic sports that their participation is not guaranteed.

Jacques Rogge has called for a reduction in the size and growth of the Games, and it is hoped that sports will grasp the necessity for change.

Three-day eventing has already offered to reduce the scale of the event, which will lead to a reduction of land needed and the size of the workforce.

But the IOC president will also realise that the decision to allow a free vote will avert a threat to his authority.