Golf applies to join 2008 Olympics

Tiger Woods could be playing for a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.

The World Amateur Golf Council, comprised of the USGA and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, formally applied for golf to be included on the program for the Summer Games, the International Olympic Committee said today.

IOC sports director Gilbert Felli said negotiations were continuing with the PGA.

Golf applied unsuccessfully to be included in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and withdrew its petition for the 2004 Athens Games.

Other sports that have applied to join the Olympics include rugby, bowling, billiards, body building, ballroom dancing, squash and surfing.

Felli said the IOC would begin discussing the sports' applications in September or October.

If approved, golf would be open to all professionals, meaning Woods could compete for a gold medal at age 32.

Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros have led a campaign for golf to be included in the Olympics.

The IOC decided against adding any new sports for 2004. But Felli said the IOC hasn't ruled out adding one or two new sports for 2008. If sports are added, some will have to be removed.

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