Dunga, just to let you know, Rugby is not the major football ocde in Australia

By oder of players it is
Australian Rules Football
Rugby League
Rugby
Soccer (or Association Football if you want)
American Football which we call Gridiron

However our truely national Sport is Cricket

wait did you call me batshit crazy because i love america? and want it to succeed

Can someone explain to me why we have trampoline and handball but no baseball or softball in the Olympics?

i want american football in the olympics then cam newton can shine for the whole world

Can someone explain to me why we have trampoline and handball but no baseball or softball in the Olympics?

Because trampolin is awesome. As is archery. And taekwondo. And every other fringe sport that get's attention via the olympics.
Softball was olympic for a time AFAIK. Beats me why they dropped it.
Hurling would be a fun addition.
Or backgammon. ;)

Also, handball is actually quite popular in a lot of european countries! You're just showing american bias. ^^

I read golf is supposed to be in the Olympics in 2020. That should be interesting. Spain and Japan (both in the host country running) have golf history, but what about Turkey (the other nation in the host country running)?

Apparently the Chinese have also stepped up with the swimming and diving. Ye Shiwen, ya'll!

Softball and Baseball were taken out in 2005 as the IOC wanted to cap the number of athletes. All sports were put to the vote and as these sports are played the least amongnst Olympic countries there were votes out by the memebr nations

It's true that both sports are pretty isolated as to where good teams are. You have strong teams in North America/Caribbean and Japan/Korea areas but that is about it.

Then again one purpose of the Olympics is to provide other opportunities for growth of sports in countries (the reason for provisional entries where they wouldn't otherwise qualify). Baseball is the type of sport that anybody can play, regardless of income. You don't need expensive equipment/facilities to pick it up as a kid. So it can easily develop in other nations.

Chris, I am sad about no baseball in the Olympics as well, but it's not a super accessible sport. Even the basic equipment is quite expensive, gloves are about $50 and a bat is about the same. It's nowhere near the cost of playing football, lacrosse, or hockey, but it's still a somewhat expensive game to get into.

On the other hand, soccer (football) and basketball are popular all over the world, for one simple reason: They are CHEAP. If 15 people want to play either sport, they can each chip in $1 for equipment.

Go team USA!!! We are in the lead again. At least 4 more gold medal opportunities for today.

i think we should put football in then the US could make 3 teams and sweep the medals

Football is already in your women won the gold for the third year running, but the mens team could not qualify.

American football Ryan :)

Maybe Ryan means Australian Rules Football

Looks like the US of A has pulled ahead in total medals and golds. Good job guys!!

like i said before AMERICA AMERICA OOHHH YEESSSSS II LOVVVEEEE THHHEEEEE AMMERRRICAAA HAPPY ASS CANNN BEEE GO AMERICA FUDGE OFF OTHER COUNTRIES YOU SUCCKKKKKKK

Go china! Haha knaeve thought you no longer play warlight.

Hellbender, you do realize it's possible to be proud of America without being a total cock, right?