The International Olympic Committee has issued the following press release regarding a detailed report that was commissioned on all Olympic venues dating back to 1896, which reveals 85 percent of the 817 permanent facilities remain in use.
This, we’re proud to say, includes the golf course constructed for our sport’s return to the Olympic Programme in Rio de Janeiro. In fact, not only does it remain open, but it has been described as one of the truly successful legacies of Rio 2016 as a viable, well-maintained facility.
As one of 13 new venues built for those Summer Games and the first public golf course in Rio, it reportedly was averaging upward of 5,000 rounds per month before the pandemic took its toll, particularly with 60 percent of play coming from tourism.
Though golf very much remains a developmental sport in Brazil, play at the Gil Hanse-designed course continues to regain its footing as the world recovers from COVID-19, including the growth of the junior golf program that was implemented following the Olympics.
We are encouraged by what we hear thus far and look forward to continued growth and success resulting from golf’s successful return to the Olympics.
IOC Press Release is available here.