Olympic Softball

Softball has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1996.International Olympic Committee: Softball History Eight 15-member women's teams compete for a single set of medals.Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Softball

On July 11, 2005, the International Olympic Committee voted to discontinue softball as an Olympic sport, starting at the 2012 Olympics in London.International Olympic Committee: Singapore 2005: 2012 Olympic Sport Vote

On June 13, 1991, the International Olympic Committee voted to introduce softball as a full medal sport, starting at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia. The United States women's softball team has dominated the sport since its inception, winning gold medals in 1996, 2000 and 2004.NBC Olympics: Olympic Softball History

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, softball events were held from August 12 to August 21, 2008 at the Fengtai Softball Field.Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Time and Venue Australia lost to Japan on August 20 to win the bronze medal. Japan defeated the U.S. team for the gold medal in the finals on August 21.NBC Olympics: Softball: Results and Schedules