Proposals to consider a more flexible sports programme were among 40 Agenda 2020 recommendations passed unanimously by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Session in Monte Carlo on Monday (December 8).

Speaking at the World Bowling Men's Championships (WBMC) here, Dornberger told insidethegames he believes "there will be more opportunities rather than less in the future" for non-Olympic sports to make the coveted step.

A simpler match-play style scoring system was unveiled at last month's World Bowling Tour men's and women's finals in Las Vegas, aimed at helping the sport to engage more with spectators. 

Dornberger is convinced the change, which has yet to be implemented permanently, will improve the sport and although he can only hope it will lead to Olympic inclusion, he insisted it is needed regardless. 

"I think we're going to improve the attractiveness of our sport and the events surrounding it," Dornberger told insidethegames. 

"I think we'll improve our presentation to media and spectators and will that lead to the Olympics?

"I don't know - I'd like to think so.

"But even if it doesn't, it will benefit our sport."

Kevin Dornberger was speaking at the World Bowling Men's Championships which are currently taking place in Abu Dhabi ©ITG




The World Tenpin Bowling Association was rebranded as World Bowling in September 2013, encompassing the launch of a new logo inspired by the Olympic colours. 

The new direction and aims of the organisation were ratified by delegates at its two-day Congress in Las Vegas and unanimous support was given to a resolution which saw the leadership of World Bowling begin actively campaigning for the inclusion of bowling in the next IOC round of shortlisted sports for the Olympic Games programme.

Under the current system, Dornberger is expecting a shortlist to be published in either August or September of next year, but he acknowledges this could be subject to change as the IOC begins to implement the Agenda 2020 changes.

"We're already putting together an outline of our next couple of years of activities but we're not going to finalise it and start doing things until we see what the changes look like," he added.

"We'll then sit down and talk about tweaking our outline, and getting our federations involved and moving forward."

Action from the WBMC can be accessed by clicking here.

To view a full breakdown of the results thus far, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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