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Golf and the 2016 Olympics
Should Golf Become Part of the Olympic Games?
Golf was first played in the Olympic games in 1900. Twenty-two golfers from four nations (United States - 8 golfers, Great Britain - 4 golfers, France - 9 golfers, and Greece - 1 golfer) competed in the Paris games. The United States took golf medals in both the men's (Charles Sands) and women's (Margaret Ives Abbott) events.
In the 1904 Olympic games, the men played two events: individual and team. The women's event was eliminated. Seventy-seven golfers from two nations (United States - 74 golfers, Canada - 3 golfers) competed in the St. Louis, IL games. The individual event was won by George Lyon of Canada and the United States Team (Western Golf Association) won the team event.
Golf has not been included in the Olympic games since 1904. On August 13, 2009, The International Golf Federation (IGF) recommended golf to be included in the 2016 Olympic Games. The IGF submitted a formal bid to the International Olympic Committee Programme Commission for the inclusion of golf in the 2016 Olympic Games. The IGF is suggesting that golf Olympic teams be created with 60 members each for a men's competitive team and a women's competitive team. The top 15 world ranked players would become eligible for the Olympics regardless of the number of players from a given country. Golf and rugby seven have been recommended as additional sports to be included in the 2016 Olympics. A final rulling on whether to add two more sports to the games will be decided in October 2009 a the 121st IOC session in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam are serving as Global Ambassadors to support IGF's bid for adding golf back into the Olympics. In their efforts they each will be spokespersons for the bid at upcoming IGF events and meeings.
What the pros are saying...
"Golf is one of the most global games out there, among the top five in the world, so why not include it?" - Greg Norman
Golf was first played in the Olympic games in 1900. Twenty-two golfers from four nations (United States - 8 golfers, Great Britain - 4 golfers, France - 9 golfers, and Greece - 1 golfer) competed in the Paris games. The United States took golf medals in both the men's (Charles Sands) and women's (Margaret Ives Abbott) events.
In the 1904 Olympic games, the men played two events: individual and team. The women's event was eliminated. Seventy-seven golfers from two nations (United States - 74 golfers, Canada - 3 golfers) competed in the St. Louis, IL games. The individual event was won by George Lyon of Canada and the United States Team (Western Golf Association) won the team event.
Golf has not been included in the Olympic games since 1904. On August 13, 2009, The International Golf Federation (IGF) recommended golf to be included in the 2016 Olympic Games. The IGF submitted a formal bid to the International Olympic Committee Programme Commission for the inclusion of golf in the 2016 Olympic Games. The IGF is suggesting that golf Olympic teams be created with 60 members each for a men's competitive team and a women's competitive team. The top 15 world ranked players would become eligible for the Olympics regardless of the number of players from a given country. Golf and rugby seven have been recommended as additional sports to be included in the 2016 Olympics. A final rulling on whether to add two more sports to the games will be decided in October 2009 a the 121st IOC session in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam are serving as Global Ambassadors to support IGF's bid for adding golf back into the Olympics. In their efforts they each will be spokespersons for the bid at upcoming IGF events and meeings.
What the pros are saying...
"Golf is one of the most global games out there, among the top five in the world, so why not include it?" - Greg Norman
"Some golfers say we now have four majors and that is enough. But the four majors were not the four majors 70 years ago. You never know, in 50 years maybe the Olympics will be the No. 1 major. It has to start somewhere. I would put in on my schedule now." - Padraig Harrington
"Well, I think that golf has become more global and has expanded. I think golf, with its rich history, it certainly would be a wonderful fit for the Olympics." - Tiger Woods
"I believe with its inclusion, golf can strengthen the Olympic movement throughout the world. At the same time, it can have a tremendous impact on the growth of golf where it is a developing sport. I'm pleased to lend my support to the cause." - Jack Nicklaus
"Now, as I step aside from competitive golf, a major objective of mine is to help grow the game around the world and I can think of no better way to grow it than through the Olympics." - Annika Sorenstam
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