Golf leaders make final push for Olympics

Annika Sorenstam and Colin Montgomerie were among the ambassadors for golf making a final pitch Monday for golf's inclusion in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Sorenstam is an International Golf Federation Global Ambassador and Montgomerie is the 2010 European Ryder Cup captain. They were scheduled to join representatives of the International Golf Federation when the final case was made to the International Olympic Committee Executive Board on Monday in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Others involved in the presentation were PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, LPGA of Japan President and World Golf Hall of Fame member Hisako Higuchi, IGF Co-Secretary Peter Dawson and IGF Executive Director Ty Votaw. Dawson and Votaw have been coordinating golf's Olympic bid. Golf is one of seven sports being considered for inclusion and the IOC Executive Committee is expected to recommend two sports in August to the IOC membership to vote on. The IOC's final vote will take place in October, when the 2016 host city will also be chosen. Candidates are Chicago; Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Tokyo.
Golf was last part of the Olympic Games in 1904 when the U.S. and Canada were the only competiting teams.