The IOC baseball vote was purely a political shot at the USA, without question. While the lack of baseball may hurt other countries more, it is seen as an American sport, and in case anyone missed it, we aren't always the most popular kid on the block.
Each region of the world has their own sport favorites. Speed skating isn't huge here, but in the European countries that stay frozen several months each year, it's a very very big deal. If there was an ESPN Norway, and if there isn't, there will be someday, they would lead with skiing and skating, not A-Rod and Labron.
Curling and synchronized swimming push the envelope of "sport" IMHO, but if enough people enjoy watching, and will buy tickets, it will be legitimized.
One of these days, some enterprising soul will combine synchronized swimming with the SI swimsuit issue, and they will sell out cable TV rights to every bar in America...