By Jeff Hampton
The International Olympic Committee has voted to accept golf and rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
While Kiwis are keen to see if New Zealand’s sevens team can be as successful at the Olympics as it has been at the Commonwealth Games, the acceptance of golf is raising a few eyebrows.
Zoe Brake is 18-years-old and the New Zealand under 23 women's golf champion.
She and other rising stars will be in their golfing prime when the sport makes its first appearance at the 2016 games in Rio de Janiero.
But support for golf was not overwhelming, almost a third of the International Olympic Committee members voted against it.
Golf has been off the Olympic menu for more than a century but mounted a slick marketing campaign involving its millionaire stars.
The campaign included major endorsements from golf greats such as Tiger woods and Jack Nicklaus.
“I couldn't think of a better sport to be part of the Olympic Games,” said Tiger Woods.
The addition of rugby sevens to the Olympics was less controversial and has excited Kiwis up and down the country, with hopes it will boost New Zealand's medal hopes.
The sevens team has dominated at the Commonwealth Games since the sport's debut, winning gold at each of its three appearances.
Steve Tew, New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive, says he is “delighted” that the sport has been added to the Olympics.
“It's the pinnacle for any man or woman to represent their country the Olympics and for our men and women to be able to do that from 2016 onwards is fantastic,” he says.
Sevens could be seen as early as 2012, as a demonstration sport at the London Olympics.
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