Karate and Rugby Lead Race to Olympics
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(ATR) The chances for rugby and karate to join the Olympic program may have received the biggest boost in an IOC Program Commission report published today. The report evaluates five sports not on the program, also including golf, roller sports and squash.

Rugby is portrayed in the report as a medium sized sport with 110 national federations. While 153 nations broadcast the last world championships in 2003, rights fees were only paid by 13 countries. Broadcast fees and major sponsors such as Coke. Visa, Heinekin, Telstra and British Air/Qantas help cover 99% of the IRB budget. The report says of the 600,000 tickets available for the 2003 championships, 62% were sold. The report also notes that the strategic plans for the International Rugby Board "appears strong". Venue costs for rugby are described as "reasonable", with "medium" technology demands. A 12 team format with 144 male players is proposed for 2012.

Karate has the largest number of national federations among the five candidates, 173. The World Karate Federation also reports that every one of those federations organized a national championship in 2003.
Venue costs are described as "reasonable", especially since the hall can be shared with other sports. The report says the WKF receives 25.8% of its income though marketing and broadcast fees. The WKF says all 24,000 tickets for its 2002 world championships were sold. The 2002 world championships were seen on TV in seven nations, with eight countries paying rights fees. Up to 120 athletes are proposed for the Olympics, equally split between men and women.

Golf The biggest question raised about golf in the IOC concerns the participation of the game?s best players. "Doubts remain as to whether the best players would participate in the Olympic Games 2012", although the report acknowledges a high level of interest on the part of the women players. The World Golf Federation has 101 member federations, most of them staging national championships. Tickets for the 2003 world championships numbered 245,000, with 87% sold. Golf reports high media accreditation at the last world championships and 182 nations broadcasting the event. Venue costs are considered reasonable, assuming a local course is available. Technology costs are described as "considerable". Golf proposes 100 athletes, equally split between men and women.

Squash is represented by 125 national federations with most conducting national championships. Out of 45,600 tickets in the 2003 world championships, 82% were sold. Only 44 media credentials were issued for the last two world championships, which aired in 150 nations, but no fees were paid for broadcast rights. Dunlop, Credit Suisse and Cathay Pacific are among the major sponsors for the World Squash Federation, helping to generate 49.8% of revenue for the WSF. Venue costs are low, technology costs are medium, says the report. The sport would bring 64 athletes to the 2012 Games, 32 men and 32 women.

Roller Sports has representation in 85 national federations. The IOC report says that figure is "very low", and "particularly low" in Africa, Asia and Oceania . The report says 100% of the 50,000 tickets to the 2003 world championships were sold. A total of 43 media credentials were issued at the last two championships. The International Roller Sports Federation says 31% of its income comes from marketing and TV rights. Rights to the 2003 championships were sold in only one country. Regarding "TV-friendly 'teenage skating activities'", the report notes that these are not under the control of the federation. The report says the federation could use these events for promotion and development of the sport. Venue costs are low. For 2012, the federation proposes 72 athletes, divided equally by gender.