ACOG - News - IBM

(19 July 1996)

Softball Debuts with USA as Favorite

After a 25-year quest to become an Olympic sport, softball begins play on 21 July, at Golden Park in Columbus. Australia, Canada, People's Republic of China, Japan, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Chinese Taipei and the United States will compete for the first-ever gold medal.

The United States is the favorite after winning three straight world championships and 11 consecutive international tournaments. In the past decade, USA has compiled a record of 110-1. They open competition against Puerto Rico at 9:00 on 21 July.

China holds the lone victory over the United States in the last decade, capturing a 1-0 nine inning victory at the Superball Classic in Columbus in 1995. The Chinese will matchup with Australia in the opening round at 18:30 on 22 July. Following the huge Chinese upset of the USA in the Superball Classic, the Australians knocked off the Chinese 5-2.

The first day of competition will conclude with Canada playing Chinese Taipei at 11:30 and Japan meeting the Netherlands at 21:00.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Thad Dohrn.



Olympic Factoid
Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.