Jackie Chan Joins Team to Put Baseball-S​oftball in 2020 Olympics

LOS ANGELES—Multi-talented international star Jackie Chan has been added to the line-up of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Playball2020 team that is currently campaigning to get their sports in the 2020 Olympic Games.  

Chan, who took part in the torch relay and sang at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, adds the role of Playball2020 Ambassador to his résumé, in an effort to help baseball and softball earn a place in the Olympics.

“I have noticed that baseball and also softball have been growing globally and attracting boys and girls to come together to play [a sport],” Chan expressed.

“The two sports teach children teamwork, discipline--about facing challenges and overcoming difficulties.

“Hence, I support baseball and softball’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games and I sincerely wish baseball and softball receive the favourable votes from the IOC members,” Chan said.

World Baseball Softball Confederation co-Presidents Riccardo Fraccari and Don Porter commented:

“It’s a tremendous honour and truly exciting to have Jackie Chan as a supporter of baseball and softball. He is an international figure who personifies hard-work, athleticism, determination and supreme talent, which are qualities needed to reach the Olympic Games.”

Philip Li, Chairman of HKBA, said, “Mr. Chan’s generosity with his time, his commitment to sport and fitness, and his enormous international appeal will help inspire countless supporters be more active in sport and join WBSC’s efforts to find a place for baseball and softball players on the world’s biggest sporting stage, the Olympic Games.”

Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote on September 8th in Buenos Aires on the sports programme of the 2020 Olympic Games, and together, baseball and softball are one of three finalists being considered by the IOC to be added to the 2020 Olympic Games. 

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Contact:

JC Group c/o Hong Kong Baseball Association, hkbsa@hkolympic.org

Oscar Lopez, olopez@worldbaseballandsoftball.org  +41 791 999 677

Lori Nolan, lnolan@worldbaseballandsoftball.org

Notes to Editors:

-        Jackie Chan speaking in 2008 on his role as an Olympic Ambassador of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (See interview)

-        About the WBSC 2020 Olympic Bid:

10 WAYS BASEBALL & SOFTBALL WOULD STRENGTHEN THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT

1)      A worldwide fan base of 200 million spectators at the professional and amateur levels—with 150+ million tickets sold last year to pro games alone.

2)      Women--Full gender equity—the global growth of softball ensures greater access to sport for women in all cultures—and the growth is particularly strong among Muslim women

3)      A unique sport anyone, anywhere can play—regardless of age, gender, disability, culture, social or economic standing.  There are no barriers to playing this game.

4)      A great spectator experience at the pro level, which is what the Games would enjoy—driven by the electrifying athleticism of men and women playing the same game in two distinct styles.

5)      A growing global broadcast audience:  the World Baseball Classic—the newest elite global championship—was broadcast into 200 countries this year.  And the broadcast of the Softball World Cup in July reached 140 countries.

6)      The robust growth of the international game—with new tournaments such as the Premier 12, the Under 12, and Under 21 in baseball and the Under 16 World Championship in softball—more national teams are competing every day.

7)      Digital media youth appeal—professional baseball has one of the largest digital media operation and youth followings in world sport—and that expertise would be brought to the Olympic arena.

8)      Commercial Appeal—baseball and softball have shown a remarkable ability to attract corporate sponsorships to all major tournament—even the U12 Baseball World Championship was fully sponsored in Chinese Taipei.

9)      Investments in the future of global sport—the partnership between the WBSC and the IOC would benefit the culture of sport worldwide—and strengthen the Olympic Movement.

10)   A new team sport to drive participation in emerging nations—millions of young boys and  girls would have new opportunities to dream about playing for their national teams in the Olympic Games.

-        About the World Baseball Softball Confederation: Formed under the authority and merger of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and International Softball Federation (ISF), the World Baseball Softball Confederation has been established to provide a unified voice and governance for all disciplines of Baseball and Softball.

Visit www.PlayBall2020.com