Golf makes historic move at 2028 Olympics

The announcement was just made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in a series of new updates on the medal events at the 2028 Olympics. Accordingly, golf will have an additional mixed team event for men and women, taking place at Riviera Country Club - one of the most famous golf courses in the United States.

“Mixed team events are the true embodiment of gender equality – when men and women compete together, on the same course, for their countries,” said IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell. “We have seen the success of mixed team events, which make golfers feel very special when they participate in them.”

Meanwhile, the International Golf Federation (IGF) also announced the official competition format for the team event. Accordingly, there will be 16 national teams (each team consists of one male and one female player) competing in two days of 36 holes. The first round will be in the foursomes format, while the final round will be in the fourball format. Each country will be allowed to send only one team to participate.

“We are extremely excited to have the mixed team event officially included at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics,” said Antony Scanlon, IGF CEO. “The success of golf at the Olympics, from Rio 2016 to Tokyo 2020 and most recently Paris 2024, is the premise for IGF to bring a new competition format, increasing the appeal. The athletes are very excited to compete with their compatriots. That is also the reason why we are looking forward to their performance in Los Angeles.”

The team event is scheduled to be held between the men's and women's individual events. This is the first time in more than a century, since the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, that a golf team event has returned to the Olympic program.

The PGA Tour and LPGA Tour now also host an unofficial men's and women's team tournament called the Grant Thornton Invitational, which takes place in December.

Not only golf, many other sports will also expand mixed content at the 2028 Olympics such as archery, athletics (4x100m mixed relay), gymnastics, rowing and table tennis.

The IOC has confirmed that the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will mark an unprecedented milestone in gender equality, with all team sports having at least as many women's teams as men's teams.

Accordingly, for the first time, water polo will have 12 women's teams and 12 men's teams competing. In particular, women's soccer will have 16 teams participating, surpassing the number of 12 men's teams competing in the Olympics.

Trong Dat

Source: https://tienphong.vn/mon-golf-co-buoc-tien-lich-su-tai-olympic-2028-post1734327.tpo