International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge believes the right decision was made after the shortlist of eight sports bidding for inclusion at the 2020 Games was whittled down to three.
The International Federations for karate, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding, wushu, baseball/softball, squash and wrestling all made 30-minute presentations prior to voting in Saint Petersburg.
The IOC Executive Board then selected three sports by secret ballot with baseball/softball, squash and wrestling all being proposed for possible inclusion on the Olympic programme for the 2020 Games.
That vote will come at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires in September with president Rogge praising all eight sports involved but insisting baseball/softball, squash and wrestling were the most worthy.
“The Executive Board received excellent presentations today from eight International Federations,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge.
“It was never going to be an easy decision but I feel my colleagues on the Board made a good decision in selecting baseball/softball, squash and wrestling to be put forward in Buenos Aires.
“I wish the three shortlisted sports the best of luck in the run-up to the vote in September and would like to thank the other sports for their hard work and dedication.”
Wrestling was dropped from the Olympic programme for the 2020 Games in February but could now be re-included straight away while baseball and softball were removed as of London 2012 before uniting into one federation in a bid to return.
© Sportsbeat 2013