Bidding farewell to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, a well defining statement from International Golf Federation suggests that an overwhelming response has been received for Golf’s return to the XXXI Olympiad from worldwide golfing aficionados!
“Christ the Reedemer” would have turned his head as well- looking at the surging crowds walking into the Marapendi Reserva Golf course on both weekends of the Men’s and ladies back to back Golf competitions. The apparent indicator that Golf stole the show at RIO’s 2016 Olympics besides worldwide television viewership surpassing any golfing event on earth!
The 120 player Golf Olympics at Rio played back to back for Men and Women withstood adverse playing conditions over the eight rounds making this the toughest outdoor sport in the world. Golf at the Olympics brought out best of fashion, fitness & fervour!
A true test of mental and physical agility- could iconic athletes or iconic swimmers focus their attention for a converted 72-hole competition equalling 64800 seconds or 1080 minutes played over four days? Golf becomes an incomparable sport indeed and my guess would be that it is there to stay beyond 2020! Golf being a sport that demands high etiquette stood the test in every respect from players across 40 nations! The worthy winners of the Men’s and Women’s Gold medal had identical scores of 268 a sizzling 16 under par!
Leaving to join RIO’s women’s competition in Golf, apprehensions clouded my mind with the dreaded ZIKA’s overhang-the stories of crocodiles and other wildlife on the course that were published prior to the start of the competition- The spectacular golf course laid out on RIO di Janerio’s Atlantic Ocean front was built over a generous expanse of land was a natures paradise indeed – every apprehension was forgotten as spectators were mesmerised by the positives.
A hue of colours that donned the theme of Golf Olympics- splashed the grandstands and could be seen from corners of the Reserva Marapendi Olympics Golf course at sunrise- Moments were savoured as Brazilian Armed forces marched across with the flags of nations whose proud winners stood on the Olympic podium at the 18th green of this spectacular golf course.
Words of wisdom given to Aditi Ashok by iconic golfer Gary Player- “Black Knight” who watched the young Indian teen play.
Another 4 years to the next Olympics in Tokyo, India’s youngest Golf Olympian Aditi Ashok has the best potential to lead India’s tri colour on the podium- waste no time let’s begin the journey to TOKYO OLYMPICS.
Champika N Sayal is the Secretary General of WGAI
- In this article
- aditi ashok
- anirban lahiri
- champika sayal
- india at rio golf
