FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2003

ISF ADDRESSING SARS SITUATION IN LIGHT
OF TWO UPCOMING EVENTS

Many sports that had major events scheduled in China have either cancelled or moved their competitions to other countries, due to the outbreak of the SARS virus. International softball is no different, as the sport's world governing body now faces the same situation head-on.

The International Softball Federation (ISF) has both its VII Jr. Women's World Championship and XXI Congress scheduled for Nanjing, China, and the clock is ticking. The latter event is set for September 18-22, followed immediately by the Jr. Women's World Championship from September 24-October 4.

On the heels of his attendance last week at the meetings of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board and the international summer Olympic federations, ISF President Don Porter has issued a statement on his sport's position on this unfortunate situation.

He said, "While the ISF is still very concerned about the status of our world championship in late September in Nanjing, China due to the SARS virus, the ISF will hold off on any decision to cancel or postpone the Jr. Women's World Championship until they have conferred further with the Chinese Softball Association and Chinese Olympic and medical officials."

Mr. Porter added, "Any decision on this matter will not be made until early or late June." In the meantime, he advised that several alternate sites are being considered, should the event be moved. He noted that Nanjing has just completed a brand new softball and sports complex, and that they very much wish to organize the event.

The Jr. Women's World Championship - featuring players 19-and-under - will consist of 14 teams: Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. The Congress brings together representatives from the ISF and all of its member federations/associations, representing 124 countries.

The International Softball Federation is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). Softball (women's fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 124 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

For more information, please contact ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@internationalsoftball.com or (813) 864-0100, ext. 229.