奧運棒球末代資格賽~~國際棒總最新釋義

ibaf.news
11.09.07.- The IBAF is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the difficulty regarding the Special Olympic Qualification Tournament, which will decide the final three places at the 2008 Beijing Games. The question mark lies over the dates: taking place as it does in the first week of March, in Chinese Taipei, only the Asian teams will be able to field their best players, while the American, European and Australian teams will be unable to release players involved in the professional circuit. This would be possible, however, if the tournament were to take place at the end of March or the beginning of April, or in a different location. Mexico, Australia and the United States have already confirmed they would be available.

The IBAF is keen to preserve the fundamental principle of balanced participation and equal opportunities, as well as having the best players. It is carefully considering the situation with a view to selecting dates and a site in the fairest possible way, so as to allow all teams to play to the best of their abilities, and give them a chance at winning an Olympic place. At the moment, two American countries have already qualified for the Games: Cuba and the USA. China qualifies as host country; one further country will qualify from the ongoing European championship, one from the Asian championship in December, and three from the Special Tournament

　　這篇報導來取自國際棒總最新一期的會訊報導，提到０８年北京奧運末代棒球項目資格賽的問題。棒球項目在奧運總共有８張出賽權，以各洲舉辦錦標賽出線的國家獲得出賽權，美洲區出線的是：古巴、美國。奧運主辦國地主國：中國獲保送權。現在在進行的歐錦賽冠軍將獲得一席。年底在台灣進行的亞錦賽冠軍將取得奧運門票，剩下三個名額就是所謂的明年舉辦的奧運資格賽。如下圖：

　　攸關台灣取得末代奧運門票的亞錦賽在１２月１、２、３日在台中舉辦，假使台灣無法取得冠軍，便只剩下參加世界組資格賽之途徑，八取三。這項比賽原預計是明年三月也由我國承辦。

　　但現在資格賽出現變數說，國際棒總要重新評估該比賽承辦地點、時間，也就是原預定由我國明年三月初舉辦可能生變。主因是因為只有三月初的時間只有亞洲國家可以派出最佳陣容，美洲、歐洲及澳洲各國無法放出各國的職業球員，深影響到其實力組成。棒總表示基於平等參予和機會均等原則，審慎評估資格賽的比賽時間點，並傳墨西哥、美國、澳洲均有意爭辦資格賽，企圖翻案。

　　此事關係到台灣棒球進軍奧運存續問題，畢竟亞錦賽的日韓不好惹，能再台灣舉辦就多一點晉級的機會，也能延續年底的棒球熱，此案須繼續關切後續發展。

相關報導：
http://www.beijing2008.cn/18/23/article212042318.shtml