US Olympic legends believe Rio 2016 will inspire golf to new heights

Missy Franklin, Lindsey Vonn, Abby Wambach, Kristi Yamaguchi and Caitlyn Jenner excited by golf’s rightful return to the Olympic spotlight

Some of the United States greatest ever Olympians believe golf’s return to the Olympic Games at Rio 2016 is an inspiring, game changing moment for the sport globally even if those within the sport don’t know it yet.

Speaking on the sidelines of the first major in golf in 2016, the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California, Missy Franklin, Lindsey Vonn, Abby Wambach, Kristi Yamaguchi, Jessica Long and Caitlyn Jenner all voiced their wholehearted support for golf’s return for the first time since 1904.

Golf’s return was announced in 2009 yet there have been mixed reports from leading golfers and officials especially those hailing from golf’s traditional heartlands who feel the pinnacle of the game belongs solely at its own historic major championships not at the summer Olympics.

Yet the refreshingly positive stance taken by some of the most decorated Olympians in living history who have amassed 11 Olympic Golds and 12 Paralympic gold medals between them, is a powerful indicator of the potential the game has to reach new audiences and increase participation numbers when Rio 2016 gets finally underway.

Speaking at the groundbreaking new ANA Inspiring Women in Sports Conference held in the build-up to the LPGA’s first major, the ANA Inspiration, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Abby Wambach said

“For me, in my experience at any Olympic Games, to be able to don your country’s jersey, to be able to play for your countrymen and to hopefully to see your flag go up and listen to your anthem being played as a result of winning a gold medal, there’s nothing better. Of course, now that I’m an avid golfer since retiring, I’m excited to watch golf at the Olympics. But golf needs to grasp its opportunity.”

“A lot has been said with golfers saying it’s not a priority for them. But that’s before those people have actually experienced it, tasted it for themselves. I’m sure that will change. There’s nothing like representing your country and now for golf to be in it, I think that it will legitimize some of these golfers. They’ll say, it’s not just about me, it’s about team USA and it’s bigger than them – that’s the biggest takeaway I’ve had from any Olympic games I’ve been a part of.

“Now people are asking major or an Olympic gold. But why not both? Surely you want to win everything you play in, especially when you represent your country. I’ve an Olympic gold and a World Cup winner’s medal. Both mean something different and both have taken women’s soccer in the US to a new level. Surely can be the same for golf? It’s not a threat, it’s an opportunity.”