COPENHAGEN — Golf will return to the Olympics in 2016 for the first time since 1904 amid the spectacular backdrop of Rio de Janeiro’s sand and sea in 2016.
“I think it’s great for golf,” Tiger Woods said from the Presidents Cup in San Francisco. “It’s a perfect fit for the Olympics, and I think we are all looking forward to golf getting into the Olympics.”
Golf was approved 63-27 with two abstentions, while rugby won near unanimous acclaim in an 81-8 vote with one abstention. They are the first sports added since triathlon and taekwondo joined the program for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
• Jacques Rogge easily won re-election as president of the International Olympic Committee for a final four-year term. The 67-year- old Belgian, who has served as IOC president since 2001, was the only candidate and needed a simple majority in the vote. The IOC voted 88-1 in favor of his re-election.
• The U.S. Olympic Committee board of directors voted to support embattled chairman Larry Probst and chief executive officer Stephanie Streeter, and committed to finding Streeter’s replacement by the end of the year.
Hamlin takes pole at Fontana
FONTANA, Calif. — Denny Hamlin averaged 183.870 mph to win the pole for Sunday’s Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway.
Greg Biffle will start second after David Reutimann‘s qualifying time was thrown out after his No. 00 Toyota failed post-qualifying inspection. Reutimann will start 42nd.
• Ashley Force Hood solidified her status as the funny car points leader with a 4.094-second pass at 307.79 mph to secure the provisional pole on the first day of qualifying for the NHRA Virginia Nationals in Dinwiddie, Va.
Cory McClenathan (top fuel) and Mike Edwards (pro stock) also led their divisions in the fourth race in the NHRA’s six-race playoff.
Cohen out of Grand Prix event
COLORADO SPRINGS — Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen has withdrawn from the first Grand Prix figure skating event of the season because of tendinitis in her right calf.
The 2006 runner-up at the Turin Games is making a comeback after not competing since the 2006 world championships. But she said she will not skate at the Trophee Eric Bompard in Paris after consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.
Cohen, 24, said she is confident she will be ready for Skate America, Nov. 12-15 in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Footnotes.
Rachel Alexandra, a 3-year-old filly who won the Preakness Stakes during an 8-0 season, is finished racing for the year, owner Jess Jackson announced.
• In hopes of a rematch with Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs) is returning to the ring Dec. 2 in his hometown of Philadelphia to fight Enrique Ornelas (29-5, 19 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout.
• Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta said he’s been contacted by the Houston Astros about their managerial opening.
• Sacramento Kings swingman Francisco Garcia will have surgery after breaking his right forearm while lifting weights. A prognosis was not available.
The Associated Press
