Golf stars will appear at IGF final presentation

to International Olympic Committee

RELEASE ISSUED BY THE INTERNATIONAL GOLF FEDERATION
The International Golf Federation has announced that Padraig Harrington of Ireland, Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Michelle Wie of the United States, as well as 16 year old British Amateur Champion Matteo Manassero of Italy, will participate in the final presentation before the International Olympic Committee membership this Friday during the IOC’s 121st Session.
The four golfers will join Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the IGF Olympic Golf Committee, which has coordinated golf’s Olympic bid, and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A and joint secretary of the IGF.
Golf and rugby sevens, the two sports recommended for the 2016 Olympic Programme in Rio de Janeiro by the IOC Executive Board, will present their final case to the full IOC membership before it votes that same day on whether to accept one, both or neither sport.
“We have demonstrated to the IOC Executive Board throughout the evaluation process that golf’s bid to become an Olympic sport has received unprecedented support from both amateur and professional golf organisations around the world and leading international players,” Votaw said.
“Now, we must reaffirm this support before the full IOC membership and we couldn’t be more pleased than to have Padraig, Suzann, Matteo and Michelle help to communicate this support during our final presentation.”
Leading up to Friday’s vote, golf and rugby sevens emerged from a year-long evaluation that included formal presentations by seven candidate sports, the submission of a Detailed Questionnaire and responses to questions raised by both the IOC Programme Commission and the IOC Executive Board.
The IOC Executive Board announced its recommendation of golf and rugby sevens following a meeting in Berlin, Germany on August 13.