IOC President Thomas Bach on Saturday said future Games hosts would have to prove their “sustainability” and that there would be a shake-up of the bidding criteria," according to the AFP. The German official said the IOC has to “act now” to preserve its "relevance," suggesting cities who pitch for int'l sports events need to think about the long-term impact. Bach said, "There is broad agreement that we need changes in the bidding and candidature procedure for the Olympic Games. We need to address the fact that in today’s world the Games need to make a greater contribution to sustainability" (AFP, 9/20). KYODO reported Bach "kept the door open regarding baseball and women's softball being a part of his 2020 Olympic Agenda." Asked whether he wants to see the return of the sports, Bach "was cagey but appeared open to a shake-up that would make it possible." Bach: "It is too early now, we have to discuss the procedures of the program first, how we can make the composition of the program more flexible, and afterwards we can discuss about individual sports and disciplines" (KYODO, 9/20).
'DIFFERENT TRADITIONS': The AFP reported Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah apologized Sunday over sexual harassment cases at the Asian Games but said there must be an understanding of "different traditions" and highlighted the small number of incidents involved. Al-Sabah said that "the body had acted quickly after a female volunteer accused an Iranian official of sexual harassment and allegations were made against a Palestinian footballer" (AFP, 9/21).