Softball at the Olympics
Softball is an event for women only. Softball was first officially on the program at the Olympic Games in 1996, but dropped from the Olympic program after the 2008 Olympics (along with baseball).
Baseball and softball (joint bid) was one of the eight sports that was listed for inclusion for the 2020 Olympic program, and made it to the final three (with squash and wrestling) but lost out to wrestling. The sport continues to lobby for inclusion.
- In 1996, the American women's team won the first-ever softball event. Four years later, they defended their title.
- The first solo no-hitter to be pitched at the Olympics was done by the American pitcher Lori Harrigan in a game against Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- The US had a 22 game winning streak at the Olympics between 2000-2008, which ended when they lost the 2008 gold medal match against Japan
- The best all-time performing softball player at the Olympic Games was US player Laura Berg who won 3 golds and one silver between 1996–2008. See more on the Greatest Softball Players at the Olympics.
- more information about the sport of Softball
- baseball at the Olympics
- POLL: should softball be re-introduced into the Olympic Games program?
- POLL: Which sport should be next included in the Olympic Games?
- List of Olympic Sports