When the International Olympic Committee meets next year, its agenda will include a vote on whether to admit golf as a summer Olympic sport. Maybe by 2016.
Sorry, Tiger Woods’ fans, but here’s hoping golf misses the cut. Here’s why:
First, the Olympics shouldn’t be a venue for anything less than a given sport’s ultimate stage. Whether it’s team handball, the biathlon or the 100-meter dash. Track and field, swimming, gymnastics and wrestling are prime examples.
But as long as there is a World Cup, a World Series, a Wimbledon or an NBA Finals, the sports of soccer, baseball, tennis and basketball, for example, will always be relegated to Olympic afterthoughts. In fact, baseball is on its way out. (The problem is, it could take softball with it, which would be a shame.)
Golf is a similar scenario. As long as there is a Masters or a British Open, there will always be events to tower over any Olympic competition. Whatever the field.
Second, while the genie of professionalism can’t be rebottled, it can be contained. The basketball “Dream Team” of 1992 will do for the ages, thank you. But wealthy, elite players deigning to do their country and their sponsors a favor by participating — and being accorded special accommodations befitting their lofty status — is hardly an Olympic ideal.