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Nicklaus and Sorenstam to help bid for Games inclusion

MIAMI
Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:27pm EST
Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, playing her final match before retiring from professional golf, takes her 4th hole tee shot on the final day of the Dubai Ladies Masters golf tournament December 14, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Crisp

MIAMI (Reuters) - Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam have been appointed as global ambassadors by the International Golf Federation (IGF) to help the sport win a place in the Olympic Games.

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Golf is one of seven sports campaigning for two spots on the program starting from the 2016 Olympics.

American Nicklaus and Swede Sorenstam, arguably the greatest male and female golfers of all time, will represent their sport at select international events, the IGF said on Thursday.

They will also support the IGF's Olympic Golf Committee, which is spearheading the bid.

"As a player and now a course designer, I have seen the game of golf enjoy tremendous growth worldwide, and we are seeing the game introduced and grow in new countries and markets every day," Nicklaus, 68, said in a statement.

"Golf truly embodies the Olympic spirit with a foundation built upon honor, integrity, dignity and sportsmanship. I believe with its inclusion, golf can strengthen the Olympic movement throughout the world.

"At the same time, it can have a tremendous impact on the growth of golf where it is a developing sport," added Nicklaus, the winner of a record 18 major titles. "I'm pleased to lend my support to the cause."

Sorenstam, who ended her glittering playing career at the Dubai Ladies Masters earlier this month, said: "It is an honor and privilege to take an active role in assisting golf's bid to become an Olympic sport.

"Now, as I step aside from competitive golf, a major objective of mine is to help grow the game around the world and I can think of no better way to grow it than through the Olympics."

Sorenstam, 38, is a 10-times major champion who has won 89 titles worldwide.

Golf is competing with karate, squash, rugby, roller sports, baseball and softball for Olympic status.

The International Olympic Committee will vote on the existing 26 sports on the program and the inclusion of two more at its session in Copenhagen next October.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Thousand Oaks, California; Editing by John Mehaffey)
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