Wang Lan, softball pitcher for China's national and Jiangsu provincial teams, smiled and cheered with teammates after her team claimed the title at the 2011 Strait Cup softball tournament in Yunnan province on April 4.

But deep in her heart, Wang has not recovered from the sport's exclusion from the next two Olympic Games.

"It's definitely a big hurt for us. After many years' hard work and dedication, we've lost the top platform to show our skills and win honors. It's a huge mental letdown and really hits your motivation," said the 23-year-old, who was dropped by the national team just 16 days before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, losing her best chance to take part in the Games.

Due to the sport's poor popularity in Europe and South America, the International Olympic Committee decided to remove softball from the Games, starting with the 2012 London Olympics. The decision has almost written off any chance for Wang to realize her Olympic dream.

"I still believe softball will come back to the Olympics in the future, as long as an Asian or North American country wins the bid to hold the 2020 Games," she said.

"But I'm afraid I will be too old to maintain the high level needed for national team selection. It's a pity."

Still, Wang feels optimistic about her beloved sport's future, citing the governing body's bold move to promote a simplified slow-pitch version on campuses.

"This will help build a solid fan base and a bridge to high-level competitions," she said.

Sun Xiaochen

(China Daily 04/06/2011 page23)