Golf, Rugby Meet with IOC

(ATR) As the new Olympic sports of rugby and golf search for venuesin Rio de Janeiro, leaders of both sports meet with IOC staff inLausanne to plan for the 2016 Olympics.

Officials from the International Rugby Board and International Golf Federation tell Around the Rings that the two-day meeting was helpful and informative.

The federations received briefings from IOC department heads, intended to familiarize both sides with their operational needs and activities.

"We are increasingly bringing our Olympic vision to life. We look forward to working in partnership with the IOC on playing an active role within Olympic Family, promoting the continued growth of our sport while also ensuring the delivery of a successful Rugby Sevens tournament at the 2016 Games," said IRB secretary general Mike Miller in a statement following the meeting.

Also attending was Rio 2016 sports director Agberto Guimaraes, who has the job ofoverseeing the presentation of the two new sports on the Rio program.

IRB communications director Dominic Rumbles says there are "no firm plans yet" for a 2016 rugby venue. Rio offers existing venues that could be used.

"Technical directors [will] be appointed soon" to study proposed venue plans Rumbles said, adding "venue planning [is] in its latter stages."

Ty Votaw, director of the Olympic committee for the International Golf Federation, tells ATR that the choice facing Rio de Janeiro is whether to build a new golf course or use an existing facility.

"We have established a good relationship with [Rio 2016 president] Carlos Nuzman and the golf committee who are studying the venue issue," Votaw said.

Votaw would not set a time frame for making a decision on the golf venue for Rio 2016.

Written by Ed Hula.