Olympic Golf Announcement Clippings

Decidedly different reactions to golf likely making its way into the Olympics. They're far more cynical in Britain as Paul Kelso reports the exciting news Jacque Rogge dropped the sacred, Cialis killer amongst the B-set: the V word! Many times!

In a secret ballot of the 15-strong IOC executive board, rugby sevens, the first discipline to be included in the Games without the main form of the sport, won through comfortably, polling nine votes in the second round.

Golf's progress was far less certain. It was nearly eliminated in the first two rounds, polling only one vote, but benefited from tactical voting from rugby's supporters to win through with a majority in the fourth round.

Owen Gibson in The Guardian:

In a debate that cuts to the heart of questions about what the Olympic movement represents, the IOC executive board plumped for golf and rugby over softball, baseball, karate, roller sports (essentially speed inline skating) and squash.

The International Rugby Board made the astute step of pushing for inclusion for the faster, shorter sevens form of the game as a means of developing the appeal of the sport around the world.

The 72-hole Olympic golf tournament, on the other hand, will look much like any other apart from having a medal rather than a cheque as the prize. Critics have questioned whether top players such as Tiger Woods will prioritise it over the four majors or, indeed, the Ryder Cup.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said the two were selected by the IOC's executive board because ultimately they "added more value" than five less well-established sports that arguably would have had more to gain from inclusion.

Rex Hoggard offers a sunnier game story of sorts. His colleague Kelly Tilghman writes about her lengthy interview with Carl Lewis. Oh they had Peter Ueberroth on too. He got about 90 seconds even though he oversaw the most successful games ever and is head of the USOC. But who wants to hear what he has to say!

John Barton gives us a peak at the potential international impact on golf, until they start seeing what it actually costs to build a golf course to modern standards.

Sam Weinman explains how the date and location of the games could make for some major travel headaches depending on the host site selected.

And Tom Dunne wonders why professionals will interest us, leaving us with this chilling image.