Golf - Teeing off at Olympics

He must be itching to get his hands on one of his irons and tee off for an Olympic medal. Yes, that would be none other than Tiger Woods. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given a thumbs-up, for the inclusion of both golf and rugby at the 2016 Olympics at Rio de Janeiro.

The decision to admit golf and rugby, got a whopping vote count, of 88 in favor and 1 against the inclusion of rugby, and 63 in favour and 27 against for golf.Jacque Rogge, president of the IOC was reported to have said at the IOC meeting at Copenhagen, Denmark, "Time will show that your decision was very wise".

While rugby has been given a go ahead for a a 12 team, 7 members a side format, the golf event will include a 72-hole individual stroke play. This will give Tiger Woods a chance to outdo golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, by doing something he could not - winning an Olympic gold.

This decision to include golf and rugby, and making an addition to the five ringed games menu however, was made after a lot of contemplation. But ultimately these two sports won the race, leaving behind more popular sports like baseball, softball, roller sports, squash, and karate. Where inclusion of golf was somewhat anticipated because of the push it got from the top players of the sport as well as leaders, rugby had maintained a low profile. It got the nod after a campaign to present the sport to a wider audience. Jonah Lomu, a former rugby great from New Zealand was elated about this news and stated, "We were ecstatic and wanted to jump on the table, but we sort of restrained ourselves."

Woods, also was jubilant and said that this was a great happening for golf. Michelle Wie, the world's best known professional female golfer, was extremely excited at this piece of news.

There would be no surprises if more youngsters and sports lovers, take to these two sports, after this announcement. Surely, rugby and golf have mauled and putted their way ahead of other sports to come out trumps as far as Olympic Games are concerned!