Golf world number one Tiger Woods has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) member for the United States backing the sport’s inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Woods wrote a personal statement and sent a 32-page brochure outlining the International Golf Federation's (IGF) proposal. Ireland's Padraig Harrington, Fiji's Vijay Singh, Europe 2010 Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and Spain's Sergio Garcia have also written to their respective IOC members.
“As we have consistently stated from the outset of the bid process, it is imperative that the best players in the world support golf's Olympic effort,” said Peter Dawson, chief executive of The R&A and joint secretary of the IGF.
Dawson added that Woods and the other golfers’ support will give golf “the best chance of being selected by the IOC to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games.”
The IGF's Olympic committee represents golf's main organisations and tours. Golf faces competition from baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash with the IOC's final vote for two sports taking place in October.
