UPDATE 3-Olympics-Golf and rugby sevens join Games from 2016

* Golf, rugby sevens make 2016 Games

* Rio 2016 Games will have 28 sports

(Adds Rogge quotes)

By Karolos Grohmann

COPENHAGEN, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Golf and rugby sevens have been added to the Olympic schedule from the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday.

The two sports were added to the Summer Games line-up after a vote of members at the IOC session in Copenhagen. Golf last featured in an Olympics in 1904 while rugby was taken off the Olympic schedule after the 1924 Games in Paris.

They are guaranteed an appearance for two consecutive Games.

"I am so excited so I will have to speak in French," International Rugby Board (IRB) president Bernard Lapasset told reporters with a big smile.

"It is an historic moment for rugby, it is the return to the Olympic family. We have constructed a family for rugby. We are proud how we built our candidacy."

The IOC, eager to revamp its sports programme to attract younger viewers, voted to raise the number of sports to 28 for the Rio Olympics, including the fast-paced version of rugby played with seven players instead of 15 and men's and women's 72-hole stroke play for golf.

The two sports were shortlisted in August from a group that also included karate, squash, baseball, softball and rollersports, all of which failed to make the cut.

"Time will show that your decision was very wise," IOC President Jacques Rogge told members after the vote.

Rogge later said choosing new sports over others would always be an emotional issue.

"The choice for Olympic sports is going to be very emotional," Rogge told reporters. "It really touches the heart of the members. But once in a while a sport may leave the Games because it is not modern any more and a new sport may come in."

While rugby sevens breezed into the Olympics with 81 votes for and only eight against, golf earned 63 votes for inclusion and 27 against.

ELITIST TAG

Rugby, which had among others New Zealander Jonah Lomu and former Argentina captain Agustin Pichot in its presentation team, was showered with praise by IOC members following their pitch.

Golf was forced to answer tough questions on expensive equipment, men's only clubs and environmental concerns, despite taped messages of support from top players including Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, both speaking from the President's Cup.

Irish golfer Padraig Harrington, who was part of golf's presentation team, admitted the elitist tag might have triggered the high number of votes against the sport.

"I do believe it (elitism) was a stumbling block," the triple major winner told reporters.

"Our inclusion in the Games will help us get over that. Things have changed and this will help change things more."

Harrington said he would work to be in Rio.

"I have some unfinished business there after losing a tournament. I am very motivated to push on now. I want to be there," he said.

The two sports are guaranteed global expansion and cash with funding from the IOC, increased broadcast rights deals and, in some countries, automatic national funding as an Olympic sport.

Analysts have estimated that rugby sevens will easily double its current sponsorship money of about $15-20 million by joining the Olympics. (Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)