The odds on golf becoming part of the programme at the 2016 Olympic Games shortened over the weekend, when no less an authority than the Chief Executive of R and A threw his weight behind the idea.

Golf is competing with six other sports for inclusion in 2016, Karate, Squash, Roller Sports, Rugby Sevens and Baseball and Softball, which were both dropped from the London 2012 programme. The sport's twin governing bodies, the R&A and the United States Golf Association are taking their application extremely seriously.

Peter dawson, the chief executive of R&A, said, "The game's administrators and top professional players are uniting behind Olympic golf. The prospect of winning a gold medal will enhance golf's competitive landscape and at the same time, Olympic golf will really help to grow the game. Golf is commercially strong and will bring a huge fan base to the Olympic Games. It is the biggest sport not currently represented at the games and has irresistible Olympic credentials."

(CCTV  October 15, 2008)