The International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board (EB) has approved the inclusion of women’s boxing for the Games in London in 2012 and will propose the sports of golf and rugby for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic programme.
[LEFT]New events for the 2012 Games – including women’s boxing[/LEFT]
The EB has approved several new events for the 2012 London Olympic Games, all of which had been requested by the relevant International Federations. Women’s boxing makes its Olympic debut with three new events agreed for 2012. The 11 current men’s boxing events will be replaced by 10 men’s and three women’s events.
Other changes include the replacement of men’s canoeing C2 500m with women’s K1 200m and the replacement of the remaining three men’s 500m sprint events with 200m sprint events. In modern pentathlon a new combined run-shoot format was approved, as was the removal of placement matches in the handball tournament.
Furthermore, the EB agreed to consider the inclusion of a mixed doubles event pending guarantees from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) that the top players in the singles rankings would be able to participate. The EB will make a decision on the issue at its December meeting in Lausanne.
Added value to the Games
The EB will propose the sports of golf and rugby to be included in the 2016 Olympic programme for ratification by the full IOC Session in Copenhagen in October.
Seven sports — baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby, softball and squash — were seeking to enter the Olympic programme.
“All seven sports made a strong case for inclusion, and the EB carefully evaluated them in a transparent and fair process. In the end, the decision came down to which two would add the most value,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge, who elected not to take part in the vote. “Golf and rugby will be a great addition to the Games.”
The key factors in determining a sport’s suitability for the Olympic programme include youth appeal, universality, popularity, good governance, respect for athletes and respect for the Olympic values.
“Golf and rugby scored high on all the criteria,” Rogge said. “They have global appeal, a geographically diverse line-up of top iconic athletes and an ethic that stresses fair play.”
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IOC Executive Board proposes 2 additional sports for the 2016 Games: Golf and Rugby
IOC approves new events for 2012 London Olympic Games