But since it is, we have to look at wrestling against the other seven sports under consideration. Some seem overdue for Olympic inclusion, but should they get it at the expense of an original Olympic sport? It seems like a no-brainer that wrestling will be included on the short list. But it also seemed like a no-brainer modern pentathlon would be the sport they recommended for elimination in February, so anything's possible. This is the IOC we're talking about here. It's entirely possible that they'll stubbornly stand by a decision that even they probably know is wrong and not even give wrestling the chance to be reinstated. Knowing the negative backlash they've received over the last three months and how much it would intensify if they were to do that, I highly doubt wrestling's not on the short list. But, again, this is the IOC, so you never know.
Anyway, if not for the presence of wrestling, I would've said squash was the odds-on favorite to not only make the short list, but to be added to the Olympic program as well. That still might be the case, but wrestling's presence in the vote hurt squash more than any of the other sports. Because I think squash--which was almost added in 2005, then again in 2009--has the most compelling argument. Squash is still a favorite to land on the short list, and their campaign video pulls at all the right cords. If they were picking based on the promotional video alone, squash would win in a landslide.
The second-best video of the group is the one for roller sports. (I'd put them all up, but these are the only two worth watching.) In my opinion, roller sports belongs in the Olympics nearly as much as squash. The format they're proposing is essentially the Winter Olympic sport of speed skating on roller blades. I've long been an advocate of this. There are so many different varieties of roller sports, but straightforward races is definitely the way to go. Especially since it appeals to the young and speed skating is one of the most popular Winter Olympic sports.
Like squash, karate was almost voted into the 2012 Olympics in 2005. I personally don't see the need to add another martial art, especially one that's extremely similar to taekwondo, to the program, but that's just me. I don't think I'm alone in that sentiment, but karate's history as now a three-time bidder probably gives it the nod over roller sports as the third sport on the short list (again, I'm assuming the short list will be three). I don't think it gets in, though. Wrestling's much more popular, and, after what happened in February, has more supporters.
Sport climbing's video isn't bad, so I'm including that one, too. The presentation is being made on the 60th anniversary of Edmund Hillary's team reaching the summit of Mount Everest, which might be a good omen for a sport that would be unique to the Olympic program. Think about it. There is no sport in the world similar to rock climbing. I don't think it has any chance of making the cut, but just the idea of sport climbing in the Olympics is compelling.
Baseball and softball, which were each dropped from the Olympics in 2005, have formed a combined bid for reinstatement. It's a long shot. Softball never should've been dropped in the first place, but, unfortunately, now has its fate tied to baseball. But baseball's not getting back in anytime soon. They won't even consider it unless they get a commitment for Major Leaguers to play, and Bud Selig's right. It's not practical to shut the season down for two weeks so they can go to the Olympics
The other two sports that have little to no chance are wakeboarding and wushu. Wakeboarding's cool (essentially snowboarding on water), but it's too new. I'm also not sure how much fun it would be to watch live. And they'd have to build a special venue. I'm still not entirely sure what wushu is. From what I was able to gather from the demonstration video, wushu is basically rhythmic gymnastics with a sword instead of the different stuff rhythmic gymnasts use. Is there really a need for more of that in the Olympics?
My best guess is that the short list will consist of three sports: wrestling, squash and karate, with roller sports having an outside chance to crack that Top 3. Regardless, if common sense prevails, this will be a wrestling vs. squash vote come September. And, nothing against the other six candidates, that's the way it should be. Because those are the two sports most deserving of places on the Olympic program. (In a perfect world, wrestling is reinstated, then squash replaces modern pentathlon in 2024.)
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