Dateline: 12/13/00

No more disagreements on whether or not a motorized tow boat should be allowed in the Olympics. No more talk about waterskiing becoming corrupt with drug testing scandals. Gone is the chance for increased global waterskiing exposure?

Waterskiing hopefuls had their Olympic dreams come to an abrupt halt today as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided not to include waterskiing as a sport in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Why? According to Reuters news, IOC sports director, Gilbert Felli, said "the organization was concerned about keeping the number of competitors to a 10,000 limit."

Francois Carrad, IOC director general, stated, "There will be no new sports for the 2004 Games in Athens." It was mentioned that before new sports could be added to the Games in the future, some sports would have to be dropped, likely causing controversy. Sports will be reevaluated for the 2008 Games.

Andres Botero, International Water Ski Federation chief, began campaigning to add waterskiing to the Games since 1991, though this was not the first attempt. The IOC first received a letter back in 1948.

So, now it's another sport's chance to try to squeeze through the Olympic cracks and attempt its way into the Games. What next? Believe it or not, ballroom dancing is taking a stab at getting in. Go figure!

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Forever In Your Wake,

Julie Bostian

Waterskiing / Wakeboarding Guide

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