Jack Nicklaus adds weight to golf Olympic bid

Jack Nicklaus has put his weight behind golf’s bid to be included in the 2016 Olympic Games

Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus has put his weight behind golf’s bid to be included in the 2016 Olympic Games.

Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam are acting as global ambassadors for the Games to promote its place in the Olympics.

The pair has an unprecedented 28 Majors between them, and the Golden Bear believes golf is worthy of a return to the Olympic Games, despite the annual four Majors being the main focus of the golfing calendar.

"I believe with its inclusion, golf can strength the Olympic movement throughout the world," said Nicklaus.

"At the same time, it can have a tremendous impact on the growth of golf where it is a developing sport."

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Sorenstam, who retired after last week’s Dubai Masters, agreed stating: "A major objective of mine is to help grow the game around the world.”

The two golfing legends will attend select international events to advocate golf's inclusion.

There has also been support for the sport’s inclusion in the Games from world number one Tiger Woods as well as Phil Mickelson.

Golf is competing with baseball, softball, karate, roller sports, rugby and squash, for a place in the Olympics.   

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