US women try to save sport while defending Athens gold

WASHINGTON: Winning a fourth consecutive gold medal is only part of the mission in Beijing for the US Olympic softball team. The American women must also try to rescue their sport from Olympic exile.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials voted in 2005 to drop softball and baseball from the Summer Games after Beijing, although both sports are making a bid to have the IOC reconsider the decision.

"We've got two things in mind, win gold and get softball in people's minds," US outfielder Laura Berg said. "There are 128 countries and regions that play the sport. It is important the IOC sees that."