( CNN ) -- The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will include rugby union sevens , a shortened version of the 15-player game , and golf as sports , the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) announced . The IOC announced Rio 's successful bid for the 2016 Olympic Games last week . Two months ago the IOC 's executive board voted to include the sports in the program , a proposal that was ratified by the body 's members at a meeting in Copenhagen , Denmark , on Friday . Rugby sevens , a sport played with exactly the same rules as the regular version -- just with less players , garnered 81 votes in favor while eight were against and one abstained . Golf was voted in with 63 votes to 27 , with two abstentions -- it means the number of `` Olympic '' sports has reached the IOC 's stated maximum of 28 . Blog : Money , money , money should be new Olympic motto . The vote was delayed as some IOC members cast doubt on the selection process that had seen the two sports put forward , but on announcing the result IOC president Jacques Rogge said : `` Time will show your decision was very wise . '' The two disciplines will be part of the 2016 and 2020 Games as a result of the vote , a move that prompted IRB president Bernard Lapasset to tell reporters : `` This is an historic moment for our sport and for the global rugby community , who were united in their support . '' Rugby 's world governing body , the IRB , has promised to end its World Cup Sevens event in order to allow 12 men 's and women 's teams to take part in the competition . Similarly , the International Golf Federation ( IGF ) has said that of the 60 players who will compete in the men 's and women 's tournament over 72 holes , the world 's top stars will all be present . The executive director of the IGF 's Olympic Golf Committee , Ty Votaw , was equally delighted . After coordinating the successful Olympic bid of his sport , he said : `` We are elated the IOC membership has accepted golf as an Olympic sport , and look forward to seeing the world 's best golfers compete for gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro . '' Softball , squash , baseball , karate and roller sports all bid to be accepted as Olympic sports but were turned down by the executive board two months ago . Golf previously featured at the Paris Games of 1900 and in St Louis in 1904 , while Olympic medals could be won by rugby players who contested the 15-a-side format from 1900-24 . Meanwhile , Rogge has been re-elected unopposed as president . The Belgian will serve his final four years , which takes him through the London 2012 Olympics before stepping down in 2013 , after being re-elected by 88 votes to one .
The IOC have voted rugby union sevens and golf into the 2016 Olympic Games . Rugby sevens garnered 81 votes in favor of their inclusion with eight against . Golf was voted into the Olympics with 63 votes to 27 with just two abstentions . This is a big deal for both sports, as they are considered by many to be among the most popular spectator sport events on earth.