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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bowling Groups Lobby Olympic Committee To Become Olympic Sport

Aired February 18, 2002 - 06:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A variety of sports enthusiasts are competing for the attention of the International Olympic Committee, among them bowlers. They're working to make bowling an official Olympic sport. Randall Carlisle of our affiliate station KTVX reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDALL CARLISLE, KTVX CORRESPONDENT: For the past 20 years officials from bowling federations around the world have been trying to persuade the IOC to make bowling an official sport of the Summer Games. Wherever the IOC goes, they follow. So they're here in Salt Lake trying to twist some IOC arms. Most of us may think of bowling as just fun. But these people say bowlers are true athletes in every sense of the word.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To be a good bowler, you've got to be an athlete in the comprehensive meaning of the word. In other words, you've got to have a certain level of fitness, certain level of mental stamina, and physical stamina.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Millions and millions of people are playing bowling and of course it has a recreational side like any sport. But to be a tough athlete in bowling, it takes a lot of work.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We train as hard as any other athletes of other sports to be competitive, and we want that to be known to the world.

CARLISLE: Competitive bowlers in top form train everyday, not just bowling, but jogging, and stretching, and lifting weights. These bowling officials say it would be a perfect Olympic sport. You don't need to build any venues, they're already there, and you can play anytime day or night perfect for television schedules. They love this sport so much they volunteer their time as they pursue the IOC all over the world. Now this coming November the IOC will decide whether to add any new sports and these people are hoping and praying bowling will be the one.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will not give up. We will carry on lobbying as we have done for the last 20 odd years.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We belong on the Olympic program.

CARLISLE: And if that day ever comes ...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would think tears would come to my eyes, definitely, or I might faint at the idea that we finally did it.

CARLISLE: Randall Carlisle, News 4, Utah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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