Softball is an Olympic event for women only. Softball was first officially on the program at the Olympic Games in 1996, but dropped from the Olympic program after the 2008 Olympics (along with baseball). Softball (jointly with baseball) was temporarily back on the program for Tokyo 2020, though the sports have not been included on the 2024 program.

Baseball and softball are back on the program for the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles.

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Softball Olympic Trivia

  • In 1996, the American women's team won the first-ever softball event. Four years later, they defended their title.
  • The first solo no-hitter to be pitched at the Olympics was done by the American pitcher Lori Harrigan in a game against Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
  • The US had a 22 game winning streak at the Olympics between 2000-2008, which ended when they lost the 2008 gold medal match against Japan
  • The best all-time performing softball player at the Olympic Games was US player Laura Berg who won 3 golds and one silver between 1996–2008. See more on the Greatest Softball Players at the Olympics.