RIO 2016 MARKS THE RETURN OF GOLF TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES
After fastening for 112 years, golf will be disputed again in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Golf was present in the competition from 1900 to 1924 and now returns to the program, jointly with the rugby, to replace the baseball and softball. The incorporation of golf to the Olympic Games was decided in October, during the voting of the International Olympic Committee, and won by 63 votes against 27.
The International Golf Federation (IGF) has promised to bring the best golfers in the world to the Olympic Games. The Olympic golf tournament will be played at Gávea Golf Club or Inthangá Golf Club. Sixty men and sixty women will participate in the competition in a 72-hole course. “It is very important to our sport that is already played by 60 million individuals all over the world", celebrated Peter Dawson, president of the IGF.
The rugby and golf should remain in the Olympic Games at least until 2020. Altogether, there will be 28 modalities in the 2016 Games.