PREVIEW-Olympics-Sports battle for spots on 2016 Games shortlist
* Two sports out of seven to be on IOC shortlist
* Shortlist to be voted on in October
BERLIN, Aug 11 (Reuters) - A chance like this comes round only once every four years and seven sports are hoping they have what it takes to be included in the 2016 Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce a shortlist of two sports on Thursday and in two months' time a final vote will decide whether they will be part of the Games programme.
Squash, rugby, softball, baseball, karate, rollersports and golf are bidding to make that shortlist which will be announced during the IOC executive board meeting in Berlin.
The IOC, in an effort to revamp the Games schedule to attract younger audiences, has decided to introduce a maximum of two new sports for 2016.
In 2005, baseball and softball became the first sports to be dropped from the Olympics since polo was excluded in 1936 and will not feature in the 2012 London Games.
"We believe we have a compelling case as we continue to promote sport in developing communities around the world, with a particular focus on women and young people," said International Softball Federation chief Don Porter on Tuesday.
The Games programme is always decided seven years in advance with the short-listed candidates needing a simple majority at the IOC session in October.
IOC President Jacques Rogge has ruled out any other sports getting on to the programme if the session rejects the board's proposals.
OCTOBER DECISION
What is still unclear is whether the two sports will be voted on as a package or if there will be elections for each of them.
"The meeting will decide which two of the seven sports vying for a position in the Olympic programme will be proposed for inclusion in the programme for the 2016 Olympic Games," the IOC said on Tuesday.
"The proposal will be submitted to the full IOC Session for a final decision at its meeting in Copenhagen in October," it said, hinting it could be just one vote.
The host of the 2016 Games will also be chosen in October with Madrid, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo bidding for the Games.
The IOC has been evaluating each sport's global reach, broadcaster appeal, sponsorship opportunities and venue demands as it seeks to keep the construction of new venues for these sports to a bare minimum and maximise their impact at the Games.
The sports themselves have wheeled in big-name backers including Tiger Woods for golf, Wales wing Shane Williams for rugby's sevens bid and former world number one Jahangir Khan for squash.
For those sports that do not make the cut, the financial repercussions will be severe as they miss out on lucrative Olympic funds and have to put their plans for Games inclusion on ice for yet another four years. (Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
