International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has told the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations that it is unlikely any sports will be dropped from the 2012 Games.
The IOC recently reviewed the 28 sports represented in Athens last year to consider whether any competition changes should be made for the 2012 Olympics. But Rogge went out of his way to dispel the concerns of federations worried their sports could be cut when the International Olympic Committee assembly finalizes the program in Singapore in July.
The IOC program commission looked at the 28 current sports, as well as golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports, which are hoping to be added to the Olympic program. The current review does not affect the Beijing Olympics in 2008, which will feature the same sports as the Athens Games.
The panel will submit its report to the IOC board this week. The report does not make specific recommendations, but apparently offers no overwhelming evidence for any sport to be eliminated or added. Rogge ruled out raising the number of Olympic sports above 28 and has repeatedly said no sport will be added unless another one is dropped.
In 2002, Rogge proposed that baseball, softball and the modern pentathlon be dropped with golf and rugby added. But the suggestion faced strong opposition and was abandoned.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
