Olympics: Golf and rugby sevens added to 2016 Olympics

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Golf and rugby sevens have been added to the calendar for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The decision was announced by the International Olympic Committee yesterday after their executive board had voted to include the pair two months ago.

Golf was passed by 63 votes to 27, while rugby sevens won a resounding majority, 81 in favour compared to just eight.

Speaking after being re-elected to a final four-year term, IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “Time will show your decision (on the new sports) was very wise.”

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The inclusion of the two sports was welcomed by British Olympic chief Andy Hunt, who added that both would provide medal opportunities for Great Britain in Rio de Janeiro.

He said: “We currently have a wealth of talented British male and female players moving through golf’s amateur ranks and are very excited at the prospect of what these young athletes could achieve at Olympic level.”

American Michelle Wie talked about taking up golf when she was four but never being able to dream of an Olympic medal, until now.

“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,” Wie said.

“If this dream comes true, somewhere in the world there will be another four year old who sees me on that podium and perhaps starts her own Olympic dream.”

The vote on the inclusion of the two sports, which also includes the 2020 Games, sees the return of rugby after a 92 year absence (its last appearance at the Antwerp 1924 Olympics).

Rob Andrew, Rugby Football Union Elite Rugby Director, speaking before the decision, said: “The thought of joining with the other home unions to make a team GB is very exciting and on behalf of the RFU and the Elite Rugby department I wholeheartedly support the bid to include sevens rugby for men and women at the 2016 Olympic Games.”

Last March, Dubai’s Rugby World Cup Sevens’ broadcast figures shattered all previous records. For the first time a 16-team women’s world cup event was included – proving the women’s rugby sevens is developing healthily on a world level.

Nicky Ponsford MBE, the Rugby Football Union for Women’s Head of Performance, said: “The first joint IRB Rugby World Cup sevens in 2009 proved a tremendous success and demonstrated how effectively the game is developing around the World.

“Sevens has become an integral part of the development of many players and the current England Women’s squad have benefited hugely from the time spent concentrating on the sevens rugby programme last year. The RFUW are fully supportive of the inclusion of sevens in the Olympic Games in what would be a hugely exciting opportunity to showcase rugby.”

Nick Grounds, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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