Golf and Rugby Become Olympic Sports

Both Golf and Rugby have been voted into the Olympic program by the International Olympic Committee.  Golf received a vote of 63-27 in favor while Rugby received a vote of 81-8 votes in favor.  The two sports will begin competitions at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.

Both sports made 20-minute presentations to the IOC members that included elite athletes and video presentations followed by a question and answer session.

Seven sports were bidding for inclusion in the Olymypic Games including golf, rugby, baseball, softball, squash, roller sports and karate. In August the IOC Executive Board shortened the list when they announced that only golf and rugby considered at the IOC session.

Before the vote the decision was debated intently by IOC members, some who didn't agree with the selection process that put much of of power in the hands of the Executive Board - others who felt it was important to support the Executive Board.

Earlier, by a vote of 85-8 the IOC members accepted 26 core sports for the 2016 Olympic Games.