Softball supporters hope IOC will decide to 'let the women play!'

SOFTBALL: A campaign to get the sole women-only Olympic sport reinstated for the London 2012 games is gathering momentum and significant support.

Softball - which is played by 50 million people in 125 countries, and was introduced to the Olympics at Atlanta in 1996 - became the first sport to be dropped from the Olympics since polo was removed in 1936.

But the sport's supporters, campaigning under the slogan "Let the women play!" are increasingly hopeful the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will reverse its decision.

Softball, together with baseball, was dropped from the 2012 programme following a vote by the IOC in Singapore in July. Softball needed 53 votes to be retained, but the vote was tied at 52-52, with one abstention.

Now Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, has indicated the matter could be reconsidered at the IOC's next meeting in Turin during the Winter Olympics in February. It would require 35 IOC members to call for a fresh vote. A simple majority would be required for its reinstatement.

Guardian Service

RUGBY LEAGUE: New Zealand have accused the Tri-Nations Series organisers of arrogance for failing to book a hotel for them ahead of the final.

NZRL vice-chairman Selwyn Bennett revealed organisers had reserved accommodation for Australia and Britain only in the lead-up to the November 26th final in Leeds, with the Kiwis scheduled to fly home after next Saturday's match against Britain at Huddersfield.

"Obviously they've banked on an Australia-Great Britain final and us coming stone motherless last," said Bennett. "We've been booked to leave after our next match and now have to find somewhere to stay."

After winning their first two games, the Kiwis can afford to lose by as much as 18 points on Saturday and still make the final.

RALLYING: The 2005 Killarney Historic Stages Rally has received a boost with the news that former British Open Rally champion and Irish Tarmac Rally champion Russell Brookes - who won the Circuit of Ireland in 1978 and 1983 - is to enter the event in a Porsche 911.

The Killarney Historic Stages Rally, which will take place on December 3rd and 4th, is organised by Killarney & District Motor Club.

ATHLETICS: World-record holder Paul Tergat, defending champion Hendrick Ramaala and Haile Gebrselassie will line up in next April's London Marathon.

Kenyan Tergat beat Ramaala by half a stride in an exciting finish to the New York marathon at the weekend.

"I was beaten by a big champion," said Ramaala. "I'd love to race Paul again. I know he is running in London and I think Haile will be there too, so I want to be there for sure."

Gebrselassie has a long-term contract for the London race, ensuring his presence next year and offering up the possibility of a three-way battle for the title.