Kenyon Managing Partner Instrumental in Bringing Baseball and Softball Back to Olympics

Baseball and softball will return to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, in no small part due to the efforts of Kenyon Managing Partner Edward Colbert, who also serves as General Counsel for the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

“I’m thrilled that the International Olympic Committee approved bringing these sports back to the games,” said Colbert, noting that baseball was added to the Olympics in 1992 and softball four years later, but both were dropped after 2008. “I’ve been involved with these sports for more than 30 years, and am sure that they will be a huge success at the 2020 Olympic Games.”

Colbert drafted the articles of association for the World Baseball Softball Confederation, and helped combine the formerly separate International Federations for Baseball (IBAF) and for Softball (ISF), into one combined sports federation recognized by the IOC – The World Baseball Softball Confederation. He participated in meetings with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, as well as the Japan, Korea and Taiwanese professional baseball commissioners, garnering their support to urge the IOC to return these sports to the Olympic Games.

World Baseball Softball Confederation President Ricardo Fraccari has applauded the IOC’s August 3 decision.

“Today’s decision is an important milestone in the sport’s history and a momentous day for baseball/softball’s estimated 65 million athletes in over 140 countries, as well as millions more fans around the world,” he said, adding, “A key part of baseball/softball’s popularity is the universality of the sport. It offers an accessible route for young people all over the world to play and stay in sport.”

As released by the former Kenyon & Kenyon LLP.