Team USA, bowling’s would-be Olympic team, has received a sudden unexpected boost from the International Olympic Committee without a single pitch being made by Fred Borden or Palmer Fallgren, the team’s respective past and current coaches.
IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch expelled six members of the Olympic Committee, saying he ended "the ugliest chapter in the history of the Olympics."
The members were charged with accepting nearly $800,000 in bribes and benefits from Salt Lake City boosters, including lavish gifts, free medical care, and call girl services.
Four officials have resigned in addition to the six who were expelled. Samaranch, however, will not resign. "We are in a storm, in very difficult moments," he said. "In this moment I have to remain in my position as president of the IOC if I have the support of the members."
The IOC bloodbath makes you wonder how many more moments it will take to admit bowling into the Olympics as a full medal sport with televised competition for the first time in history. Many of these same expelled members have been shooting salt into the wounds of bowling as a sport for many years by not admitting it into the Olympics on a full-time basis.
Perhaps the endeavor will see some light at the end of the Olympic tunnel when a new crew of IOC members joins the organization. A fresh group of officials may have a different perspective on what sports are about and allow bowling to join the Olympics full-time.
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The latest slam of significance against pro bowling was made in a commercial to promote the National Hockey League on FOX.
At first, it appeared to be a PWBA promo with what appeared to be a female pro bowler stepping onto the approach and about to release an important shot.
The announcers voicing over this ad were none other than Chris Schenkel and Bo Burton, formerly of "Pro Bowlers Tour" on ABC-TV. Apparently, the two thought it would be sporting to make fun of the sport they once announced.
Schenkel starts the phony commentary by saying, "Yes, we’re here in the Pavilion at Manhattan Beach, and you’re looking at Christy Ellison. She’s up now in the tenth frame."
Burton chimes: "She needs two strikes to win the match."
Ellison then starts her approach, and as she goes into her backswing, her opponent leaps out of her chair and tackles Ellison before she makes her shot. Both bowlers end up face down, sprawled all over the next lane well beyond the foul line to the gasps and screams of the crowd.
Burton finishes the ad by saying tongue-in-cheek: "Well, she has to be disappointed. She did not throw a good shot, and she ends up with a very difficult spare."
To which Schenkel replies: "Can you imagine that?"
A large video graphic then appears on the TV screen which simply says: "Bowling would be better if it were hockey. The NHL on FOX returns February 7th."
The way media awards are now handed out, this ad could become an award-winning commercial.
Syndicated columnist Richard Kolb is a member of the Bowling Writers Association of America.