GamesBids.com: Golf and Rugby Become Olympic Sports

Golf and Rugby Become Olympic Sports
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GB Editor on Friday, October 9, 2009  7:45am EDT
 
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.