The International Olympic Committee today announced the two sports proposed by the organization’s Executive Committee to enter the sports program of the 2016 Olympic Games: rugby and golf. The decision still needs to be approved by IOC members at the Session that will take place in Copenhagen in October. A further five sports – softball, baseball, squash, karate and roller sports – were rejected.

The president of Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, and Rio 2016 secretary general, Carlos Roberto Osório, accompanied the IOC announcement, made in Berlin, where the World Athletics Championships will be held starting Saturday. “Rio de Janeiro was prepared to receive the seven sports seeking a place in the Olympic program. The decision still has to be confirmed in October, but the city has already allocated venues for the two sports. Rugby will take place at São Januário Stadium and this choice has already been approved by the International Rugby Federation. Golf could be held at Gávea Golf Club or Itanhangá Golf Club. This choice will be up to the International Golf Federation,” Nuzman explained.