Cullen welcomes decision to include Rugby Sevens and Golf in 2016 Olympic Games

Posted on 09/10/09 by Martin Cullen Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has welcomed the decision today (9 October 2009) by the International Olympic Committee to include rugby sevens and golf as new Olympic sports in the 2016 Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Minister Cullen said: "This is very positive news for Irish sport given our international achievements in both golf and on the rugby field. The Irish have accomplished so much in these sports both nationally and
internationally. I am sure the inclusion of both golf and rugby sevens will also add enormously to the excitement and spirit of the Games in Rio de Janeiro."

"In May this year I met with the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr Jacques Rogge, when he visited Dublin and pressed with him the case for these sports to be included in the Games. Great credit is due to Mr Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland for making the case for both of these sports to be included in 2016. I am sure that with the addition of these two sports within the Olympic programme, Ireland will have even more exciting successes in to the future."