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.
Barney
Guest
I don't think it is just Australia that will have the chance to win more medals rugby sevens open doors to so many nations who normally would not have chances to win gold medals. Very exciting times!
Australian Boxing
Guest
Fantastic news about women's boxing in the 2012 Olympics. Australia will hopefully be represented by some strong talent
AndyS
Guest
I see no reason why that would be the case. Olympic sports are typically controlled by the AIS, especially if they attract federal funding. Even if not, any outside funding would come with the requirement to make it clear and transparent that the best athletes are being given the opportunity. I would think that players from all codes would be considered, and it is quite common for League to field Sevens teams in Britain...
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
Preferably all player's would come out of Rugby. If a League player wants to participate they will need to play a season of Rugby first. Preferably.
JimC
Guest
Presumably the aussies can pick any Australian. So the team will be made up with NRL players. Today maybe Turner, Giteau, and Elsom would make the team but presumably Slater, Inglis, Thurston would also be shoe ins. Marshall would make a NZ team you would think.
johnno42
Guest
shahsan i wasn't aware that australia had ever won a sevens tournament, of course i could be wrong...
Shahsan
Guest
Of course Australia is a medal chance in sevens. Though it has never won the sevens circuit or even many of the tournaments, the reason is because it sends mainly very young and developing players, hardly ever top drawer players. When sevens saw its best competing against each other ie preprofessional era, Australia was always thereabouts, being regular winners in Hongkong, which was the de facto world championships.
johnno42
Guest
have ti agree justin, the headline "Golf and rugby 7s give Aussies more medal chances" is just breast beating in its most vulgar form.
JustinB
Guest
I think John Coates is kidding himself. When was the last time Australia won the Sevens World Cup or the IRB Sevens World Series? Well, never actually. Rating Australia as a strong medal chance is blindly optimistic. More chance in golf, but one win in the last 52 majors is not really an indication that Australia will be a strong medal chance either. Anyway, to golfers winning a major will always be the pinnacle of the sport, the Olympics will come way down the list (as in tennis).
Kurt
Guest
Sevens definitely, but golf? So we have another sport like tennis where every now and again, normally towards the end of their careers when they want to round out their trophy cabinet, the world's top golfers decide to grace an olympics with their presence. And 'strong youth appeal' - really?