Greg Norman credits Seve Ballesteros for golf's Olympic return
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 20, 2026, 12:30 PM
Last updated Sep 20, 2026
Greg Norman stated that Seve Ballesteros was instrumental in golf's return to the Olympic Games in 2016. Speaking on The Real Deal podcast, Norman reflected on Ballesteros's push to include golf in the Olympics by reaching out to IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. Despite a poor turnout from players for the 2016 Games due to health concerns, golf has seen a renewed interest as an Olympic sport, culminating in a successful event at Le Golf National in 2024. Norman expressed disappointment at players' reluctance to participate in Rio but believes that perceptions are changing significantly.
- •Norman claims Ballesteros initiated golf's Olympic return effort.
- •Ballesteros reached out to IOC President Samaranch regarding inclusion.
- •Many players chose not to participate in the 2016 Olympics.
- •Golf received a positive reception at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
- •Future Olympics may see greater participation from top players.
- 12:30 PMYahoo Sports — Greg Norman reveals the role Seve Ballesteros played in golf’s return to the Olympic Games, ‘he’s the one’
"Greg Norman has claimed that Seve Ballesteros was the person who got the ball rolling that led to golf eventually returning to the Olympic Games in 2016, as the Shark reflected on the decision of various players to not travel to Rio de Janeiro a decade ago. Golf as an Olympic event has enjoyed a rapid rise over the last 10 years.
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