Monica Abbott: Tokyo 2020 can be an ‘influence’ for LA28 generation

Monica Abbott: Tokyo 2020 can be an ‘influence’ for LA28 generation
21/03/2022
“I’ve seen their influence on athletes that are playing today, and that influence is cool because they literally had the opportunity to potentially be the next Olympian star. And who knows, maybe from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games it’s going to be the influence for the next generation who’s going to play in LA28,” said Abbott.

Monica Abbott is one of the biggest names in the softball world. For almost 15 years, the left-handed pitcher born on 28 July 1985 in Santa Cruz, California, USA, has dominated the game from the circle, both in international play and also as a professional athlete, both in the US and Japan.

Abbott was the guest of the latest edition of The Global Game, the official WBSC podcast, and spoke about her career, Tokyo 2020, the future of the sport and also the LA28 Olympics, where softball is expected to return to the programme.

Asked about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she said one of the biggest things for her and the sport of softball was being able to open the Olympic programme in Fukushima. “How cool is that! After everything that has happened to this sport, being in and out of the Olympic Games, and how much the sport of softball has grown and how important women’s sport is today and how much respect it is getting worldwide, how women’s sports has grown exponentially. For our women’s sport it was phenomenal to be able to open the Olympic Games as the primary sport in Tokyo.”

For Abbot it’s important that the next generation of players - “the Amanda Chidesters, the Haylie McCleneys, the Ali Aguilars, those people who are going to be the face of the game for the next 10 years” - had their Olympic experience in Tokyo 2020 to be able to pass the torch to younger generations. 

“Now they are living this Olympic boost that will take them into those LA28 Games. And that is huge for our sport, that’s what is exciting because they will have that name recognition, that brand recognition, that face recognition, not only in the American public, but obviously worldwide in our sport.”

Abbott will continue having a leading role in the upcoming years for USA Softball. Her personal and professional experience will be the key. “I’ve been able to see the impact of each generation and the impact of different stars and athletes. I was fortunate to play with Crystl Bustos, Jennie finch, Jessica Mendoza, Stacey Nuveman. I’ve seen their influence on athletes that are playing today, and that influence is cool because they literally had the opportunity to potentially be the next Olympian star. And who knows, maybe from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games it’s going to be the influence for the next generation who’s going to play in LA28.”

And will the 36-year-old Abbott be in LA28 herself? “Time will tell, I’ll put that on God’s hands. I’ve got a really good career so far. But who knows... I’m not gonna close the door!”

You might also be interested in:
- Monica Abbott pitches a gem, helps USA beat Canada on day 2 of the Olympics
- Olympic softball gold medal game delivers home run for the sport, buzzes on social media
- Olympic medal games a ‘fantastic day’ for softball - Jessica Mendoza
- Tokyo 2020: Abbott named best left-handed pitcher
- USA Softball Star Monica Abbott “Softball brings people together, it belongs in the Olympics”