Golf and rugby sevens await IOC ruling

Leading names in both golf and rugby sevens are awaiting a ruling from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today on whether they will be included in the 2016 Games and beyond.

The two sports were put forward to the IOC Congress in Copenhagen by the executive board for consideration, with a view to being unveiled as full Olympic sports in less than seven years' time.

President of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Bernard Lapasset will present his sport's case to the IOC session today, alongside a number of other high-profile individuals including former Argentina captain Agustín Pichot and All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

Speaking on behalf of golf will be the executive director of the IGF Olympic golf committee Ty Votaw, alongside current professionals Padraig Harrington and Michelle Wie.

A decision on whether both sports have achieved the majority vote needed to be included in 2016 is expected later this afternoon, and will be announced by IOC president Jacques Rogge from Copenhagen.

Rugby union last featured at the Games in 1924, but in the 15-man format (although Sevens has been in the Commonwealth Games since 1998), while golf has been absent from the Olympics since 1904.