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IOC OKs Golf, Rugby for Rio Games

Golfers, ruggers seek Olympic gold in 2016 for first time in 100 years or more

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2009 10:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – Medals for golf and rugby will be awarded at the 2016 Olympics for the first time in a century or more. The IOC voted today to reinstate the sports for the Rio de Janeiro games and provisionally accepted them for the 2020 Olympiad. Golf has not been played at the Olympics since its first appearance, in 1904, and ruggers haven’t been able to seek gold since 1924. The vote was 63-27 for golf, 81-8 for rugby, the AP notes.

“Time will show your decision was very wise,” said IOC president Jacques Rogge, who was reelected to a final 4-year term. Golf, considered a tougher sell because of its exclusivity, was helped by a taped message from Tiger Woods—who says he will play in Rio—and a presentation from Michelle Wie and Padraig Harrington. The leader of the rugby bid appeared to play up all aspects of the game: “Rugby and Rio were made for each other. A great atmosphere, great sport, and a good time.”

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

A game of rugby being at the 1924 Olympics in France. The 2016 Olympics will feature the streamlined seven-a-side game, not the standard 15-a-side version. (AP Photo)

IOC President Jacques Rogge. (AP Photo)

Tiger Woods reacts after putting for birdie on the 18th to win the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Michelle Wie. (AP Photo)

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I can dream about doing something that neither Tiger nor Ernie Els have ever done, and that is to make the final putt to win an Olympic gold medal. - Michelle Wie

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Yourself

Oct 9, 2009 10:01 AM CDT

Rugby DEFINITELY deserves to be in the games. Softball too, as the alternative to Baseball, problem is it isn't large enough of an international sport, but this should be a platform to help promote it as well. As for golf, i agree with the decision seeing as it's highly international now, but there's still something i find odd about it, not sure what though...

RobN

Oct 9, 2009 6:51 AM CDT

I know, what's with that? I read somewhere that there aren't enough good international teams to make it a real competition, but it seems like aiming for the Olympics could be the goal that gets the international programs started.

RobN

Oct 9, 2009 4:28 AM CDT

Golf's become a truly international sport; glad to see it back.

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golf • Tiger Woods • Rio de Janeiro • rugby • Padraig Harrington • Michelle Wie • Jacques Rogge • Olympic Games • 2016 Olympics • International Olympic Committee • Olympics • Summer Olympics

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IOC OKs Golf, Rugby for Rio Games