Australian Olympic chief John Coates has welcomed the recommended addition of golf and rugby sevens in the 2016 Games, and says the country should be a strong medal chance in both.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board overnight chose golf and rugby ahead of the other sports in contention baseball, softball, karate, roller sports and squash.
Their proposal will be voted on by IOC members at the next session in Copenhagen in early October.
Australian Olympic Committee president Coates, an IOC member, said he was “very pleased to support” the inclusion of rugby sevens and golf.
“Both sports are universal, offer absolute gender equity and have strong youth appeal,” said Coates.
In another major decision the executive board meeting in Berlin voted to include women’s boxing on the program for the 2012 London Olympics, which was also welcomed by Coates.
“The IOC is striving for gender equity at the Olympics and boxing was the only sport where women could not compete until now” he said.
Golf and rugby tried unsuccessfully for a place at the Olympics in 2005 but the inclusion of women in their sports was seen as a vote winner this time.
“I have been a strong advocate for 50/50 participation for men and women at the Olympics for many years so it is pleasing to see golf and rugby back on the Olympic program this time with women competing,” Coates said.
“We expect to be strong medal contenders in both sports in 2016, our Women’s Rugby 7’s team is currently the world champion and we are fortunate to have such depth in our golfing ranks.”
Golf was helped by the commitment of the top players, including Tiger Woods, to play at the Olympics.
“Tiger and the other top players realise an Olympic medal takes pride of place in any trophy cabinet,” Coates said.
“And in the women’s ranks, Karrie Webb wrote to me a few months ago urging me to support the inclusion of women’s golf so she could play at the Games.”
Rugby was last played at the Olympics in 1924 with the USA the defending Olympic champions. Australia won the gold medal in 1908.
Golf was last played at the Olympics in 1904 in St Louis.
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