EDITOR ’S DESK SEPTEMBER 2016

Why Isn’t in Olympics? EXECUTIVE STAFF

PUBLISHER: or anyone with a television set bowling, they’re both recognized sports, Harold L. Simonsen or internet, it’s been pretty hard but they do not compete at the Games. EXECUTIVE EDITOR to avoid anything Olympic in The Olympic Charter indicates that Shari J. Stauch the last month. Trying to DVR all of it to be accepted, a sport must be widely MANAGING EDITOR Fso as not to miss boxing or basketball practiced by men in at least 75 countries Thomas C. Shaw (husband’s favorite), gymnastics or and on four continents, and by women CIRCULATION DIRECTOR diving (my favorite), or equestrian in no fewer than 40 countries and Carol Simonsen (daughter’s favorite) was a challenge. on three continents. The sport must Sorting through the subsequent also increase the ‘‘value and appeal’’ COLUMNISTS programming and fast-forwarding of the Olympic Games and retain through endless bouts of beach and reflect its modern traditions. Anthony Beeler volleyball, kayaking, track and field The IOC has been permitting new Phil Capelle and more became a sort of game in sports only in conjunction with the Dominic Esposito itself. And then there were all the simultaneous discontinuation of others. Mark Finkelstein sports we were somewhat amused by Sports that have already been part of Loree Jon Hasson (rhythm gymnastics and synchronized the Games are periodically reviewed Ewa Mataya Laurance swimming - why is either still a to determine whether they should Donny Lutz thing?) and handball, horses dancing be retained. And, when choosing Nick Nikolaidis to music and fencing (okay, talent sports to include, the IOC must Charlie Williams maybe, but weird to watch). take into consideration media and Probably one of the most fascinating public interest, since these are a key was table tennis. Still can’t figure drive behind the Olympic Games. CONTRIBUTORS out those weird serves but it’s Seems like the cuesports fit all Sean Chaffin awfully fun to watch those guys the necessary bills, and would be Ashi Fachler battle it out on that tiny surface. pretty easy to create the arena for, Jerry Forsyth And that always comes back but guess until more people demand Tony Fox to, then why not pool? to see the best pool, billiard and Tina Hardt If table tennis and golf can make snooker players duking it out on Karin Kaltofen it, surely the billiard sports, one the world stage, we’ll have to keep discipline or another being played on creating our own world stages. Sally Lee every continent, should get a nod? And so this month, while celebrating John Lewis The first step in the process athletes from around the globe in a Jojo Lirio, Jr. of becoming an Olympic sport is myriad of sports, right here in P&B Lawrence Lustig recognition as a sport from the we’ll celebrate our own, including Tom Rossman International Olympic Committee the ever amazing Shane Van Boening Dale Shank (IOC). The IOC requires that the who turned in brilliant performances Victor Stein activity have administration by an at the US Open 8-Ball and 10-Ball Dave Thomson international non-governmental events in Vegas, AND a runner-up Charles Ursitti organization that oversees at least finish in Qatar at the World 9-Ball one sport. A sport may gain IOC Championships. And , Pool & Billiard Magazine recognition but not become a competing brother of female champ Jasmin is published by: event at the Olympic Games. Ouschan, who has cemented his own Sports Publications Ltd. Sadly, that’s the case in the billiard place in sports history as the newest 115 S. Main St. Summerville, SC 29483 Telephone (843) 875-5115 Fax (843) 875-5171 sports.Though we gained IOC WPA World 9-Ball champion! Web Site: www.poolmag.com recognition in the early 2000s, and Someday, maybe, we’ll get to see e-mail: [email protected] were even part of the World Games in great athletes like Shane and Albin on Contents © 2016 and 2004 (Akita, Japan), pool’s Olympic the podium, accepting Olympic Gold cannot be reproduced without express dreams have been sidelined. Like Medals they’d both surely earn... written permission of this publication. 6 P&B September 2016 www.poolmag.com