Bowling, The Wright Way - September 9, 2002 by Don Wright
Olympics and Other Musings

I have written several columns on my feelings about bowling and the Olympics. I would have loved for bowling to be a medal sport in the Olympics. It meets all the necessary International Olympic Committee rules - The IOC insists that the sport be played on all five continents; played in at least 75 countries and is played by both men and women. Bowling does all of that. In fact, bowling could be a sport in which the men and women compete equally. At the present time equestrian is the only sport to have that.

If bowling were to make the Olympics I would have wanted to see amateur bowlers competing, not Parker Bohn III, Walter Ray Williams, or Pete Weber. It aggravates me to no end to see our professional basketball players dominate the sport and humiliate the players at the Olympic level. But, it was an American amateur basketball team losing in the games that changed the rules and allowed for professional athletes to compete. American's try to justify professional athletes by saying that foreign National teams are really professionals. That's a weak argument at best.

However, don't look for bowling in the Olympics in the near future and I would guess, ever.

I always wondered if bowling were to get Olympic authorization would it be a summer or winter game? I would guess summer, but it's a sport you could have in either.

We know bowling won't make the 2004 Olympics and don't count on 2008 in China. The IOC rules are that in order for new sports to be added old sports must be dropped. They are considering dropping baseball, softball and the modern pentathlon. Additionally, one of the oldest Olympic sports - Greco - Roman wrestling is on the chopping block.

I don't know, but maybe they don't want to have sports that are decided by score. Instead they want sports that can be manipulated by corrupt officials or the Russian Mafia. Probably not since they are considering adding golf and rugby to the 2008 games.

Now, since there are many professional golfers from countries outside the United States how long do you think it will be before the Professional Golf Association (PGA) starts putting together the "Dream Team?"

I have always wanted to see bowling in the Olympics, but I have since changed my mind. I say let's quit the pursuit of something that has no chance to be achieved and place more emphasis on high school, college, Team USA and the FIQ. That way we will have world wide amateur bowling each and every year and still be able to tune in the Olympics every four years and see Tiger Woods captain the U.S. Olympic Golf Team.

Something else I have not changed my mind on is the Single Membership Organization (SMO). I know when my friend and President on the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC), Sylvia Broyles gets wind of this we will have another wonderful debate. But, I have not been convinced this is good for "Joe Bowler."

I have always been in favor of a SMO as it pertains to headquarters and rules. I see absolutely no reason for ABC, WIBC, YABA and all the integers to have separate leadership, staff and real estate. Combine them, save some money and help make state and local associations better rather than eliminating or combining them. The concept of combining associations may work in some places, but it won't work in many. I have been told there are strong and weak associations and combining them will make them both strong. What about making them both weak? I know associations that just don't get along with each other and soon they will be combined. I know other associations that have dedicated personnel who have worked very hard to improve the association and make things better for "Joe Bowler." Many associations have established Halls of Fame and others have not. Some associations have deep histories and others could care less. Combining them isn't the best solution.

I have been affiliated with my association for 30 years and I can count on my hands the number of times that an ABC representative has made an appearance in my area. If there are state and local associations that need fixing and this has been known for so long why were these folks not out there doing the fixin'?

Let's have a SMO at National level, but rethink the state and local concept. I really believe the delegates at the WIBC convention knew what they were doing and y'all just don't get it.

See you on the lanes.