Baseball, softball axed from London Games

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Baseball and softball failed to win a majority of votes in a ballot of members at the IOC Session at the Raffles complex and became the first sports to be cut from the Games since polo in 1936.

Rogge urged the two sports not to lose heart. "Needless to say, these sports will be disappointed," he said. "But this does not disqualify them forever. Once again all Olympics sports -- including softball and baseball who do not lose their status -- will be put to a vote one-by-one.

Australian Olympic Committee chairman John Coates was saddened by the result. "I'm shocked and disappointed," he said. "It is very sad to lose two of our member sports.

"Problems with doping in U.S. baseball probably cost the sport dearly. Softball was a bigger shock especially with the push within the IOC to further increase women's participation in the Olympics."