• Golf given Olympic boost

    Olympic Golf
    Rose is flanked by Stenson and Kuchar

    Golf, which returned to the Olympics after a 112-year absence in Rio last year, will be played at the 2024 Olympic Games, it has been confirmed, writes WADE PRETORIUS.

    Golf’s return was marred by a number of high-profile exits in Brazil, purportedly over Zika virus fears and more patently, over scheduling issues. However, the gold medal tussle between friends and Ryder Cup teammates Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, combined with Inbee Park’s triumph in the women’s section was enough to convince the IOC to give golf a shot beyond Tokyo 2020.

    The IOC announced on Friday that all 28 sports from the 2016 Games would form part of the 2024 edition.

    2024 will take place in either Paris or Los Angeles – with Paris the bookmakers’ choice at this stage. The venue will be confirmed in September.

    Le Golf National, which will host the 2018 Ryder Cup, is the obvious venue should Paris edge their American counterparts, who have Riviera Country Club (Genesis Open venue) ready to play host should they be surprise winners of the race to host the 2024 Olympic Games.

    Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

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