Golf and rugby are still possibilities for Games

BERLIN (AP) — Imagine the scene: Tiger Woods lining up a 20-foot putt on the final hole with an Olympic gold medal at stake.

That scenario came closer to reality Thursday when golf was recommended for inclusion in the 2016 Summer Games, along with the fast-paced game of rugby sevens.

As for baseball and softball, it was a case of “Strike three and you’re out!” Seeking to return to the Olympics after being voted out four years ago and denied reinstatement a year later, they were among the five sports failing to make the cut this time.

The International Olympic Committee executive board selected golf and rugby from a list of seven proposed sports, which also included squash, karate and roller sports.

The board also approved women’s boxing for the 2012 London Games, bringing gender parity to the only summer Olympic sport that had been for men only.

Golf and rugby will be put forward for ratification by the full 106-member IOC assembly in Copenhagen in October. Final approval will require a simple majority. The sports will be put to individual votes, not as a tandem.

“In the end, the decision came down to which two would add the most value,” IOC president Jacques Rogge said. “Golf and rugby will be a great addition to the games. ... They have global appeal, a geographically diverse lineup of top iconic athletes and an ethic that stresses fair play.”

Few, if any athletes, have more global appeal than Woods, who indicated this week he would play in the Olympics if the sport got the nod from the IOC.

“Who is one of the major icons of the world? Tiger Woods,” Rogge told The Associated Press. “This is a very important sport.”

Rogge said he feels “absolutely” certain the top golfers would compete, just as other star professionals have done.

“We have seen that in tennis, in ice hockey and basketball,” he said. “It’s not because they are professionals that they are not interested in coming to the games. Look at Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Magic Johnson or Wayne Gretzky.”

Golf could also be a good fit for Chicago, which is vying with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo for the 2016 Olympics. That decision will be made by the IOC in Copenhagen on Oct. 2, a week before the vote on the two sports. The Chicago area has three courses which have hosted majors — Olympia Fields, Medinah Country Club and Kemper Lakes.

“It’s a historic moment for golf,” said Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient club and co-leader of golf’s Olympic bid.