Jackie Chan Named Playball 2020 Ambassador

Playball 2020, the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s campaign dedicated to returning baseball and softball to the Olympic Summer Games in 2020, has named Jackie Chan a World Baseball Playball 2020 ambassador.

“The two sports teach children teamwork, discipline—[they’re] about facing challenges and overcoming difficulties,” Chan said. “Hence, I support baseball and softball’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games, and I sincerely wish baseball and softball receive the favorable votes from the International Olympic Committee members.”

Chan’s appointment comes less than a month before the IOC is expected to vote on whether or not baseball and softball will be featured in the 2020 Games. Baseball became a regular Olympic sport in 1992 and softball in 1996. Both were played through the 2008 Games, but were left off of the program for the 2012 Games in London. Along with wrestling and squash, baseball and softball are all finalists for a single opening the 2020 Olympic program. The vote is scheduled to take place September 8 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“It’s a tremendous honor and truly exciting to have Jackie Chan as a supporter of baseball and softball,” said World Baseball Softball Confederation Co-Presidents Riccardo Fraccari and Don Porter in a joint statement on the organization’s website. “He is an international figure who personifies hard work, athleticism, determination and supreme talent, which are qualities needed to reach the Olympic Games.”