LIVE BLOG: Final day at the IOC Session in Copenhagen

From James Toney and Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat

BIG DAY: IOC President Jacques Rogge will oversee elections of new sports and new IOC members. He will also be confirmed in his position for another four years (Getty Images)

Golf and rugby sevens accepted as sports for 2016 Olympics

IRB tactics key in success of Rugby Sevens Olympic vote

Harrington delight as golf earns its place at 2016 Olympics

12.44: So there we have it, two new sports for the 2016 Olympics - Tiger Woods and Danny Cipriani will both get the chance strut their stuff in Rio.

12.43: And rugby sevens cruises through - 81 to 8 - a resounding victory!!!!!!!!

12.42: Golf is IN!!!!!!!! 63 to 27 - a walk in the park!!!

12.40: Voting is closed..........a decision for both sports is moments away........

12.38: Time for the vote now.......

12.37: Ireland's Patrick Hickey confirms that Ireland would be entering a separate team from the Great Britain team while Mike Miller confirms that those from Northern Ireland could choose who they represent.

12.31: And finally the rugby bid team wheel out their big gun Jonah Lomu who answers a resounding'yes' to the question of whether or not the best player will turn up.

"I can speak for them and the answer is yes, wherever the tournament is the best players will be there to play," he says. That settles that then.

12.29: A good comeback from Miller regarding the question of the number of teams. Apparantely the Executive Board chose 12 teams and Mike Miller reveals the IRB would be happy to change should they wish. 

12.28: Miller cannot confirm how qualification would work but he is sure he cannot foresee any problems.

"We would design a system with the IOC to make sure everybody around the world has the chance the realise their Olympic dream," he says.

12.23: Mike Miller now steps up to answer the questions:

He falls back on the British and Irish Lions and states all four unions are fully behind a GB team.

"The only issue is how would you find just 12 players with such a pool of talent from those four countries," he says.

12.22: Sir Craig Reedie is already using his influence as a member of the Executive Board and reveals how when badminton was added to the Olympics, a British Badminton Olympic Committee was set up.

12.18: The issue of whether rugby's most famous players and the best players has also been raised, Bernard Lapasset and co will have there work cut out in a few minutes.

12.17: Another slight criticism. The proposed Olympic rugby sevens tournament would have 12 teams but the Commonwealth Games has 16 and the Hong Kong Sevens has 24.

12.13: A gag from Fijian IOC member Robin Mitchell - "I fully support rugby sevens because it's one sport where my country regularly beat Australia and sometime New Zealand."

That has tickled President Rogge.

12.10: A key point has been raised - how would Great Britain enter the competition and would there be similar problems as there are with the football team for London 2012?

Well they should read our interview with Mike Miller from earlier this year.

EXCLUSIVE - IRB: Home unions back Olympic Sevens

12.08: A strong finish - "Rugby sevens is ready."

12.06: And not to be outdone by golf, Bernard Lapasset closes the presentation in French.

12.02: Former Argentina captain Agustin Pichot praises rugby sevens' growth in South America, but says there is one thing missing, the Olympics.

"We want to play our part in the development of the Olympic movement," he says. "Rugby sevens is reaching out."

Profound. Cue another inspirational video.

11.56: Mike Miller, IRB secretary general, makes a point that constantly crops up when discussing new Olympic sports. The Sevens World Cup would be done away with the make sure the Olympics is as good as it gets for sevens players. 

11.55: Cheryl Soon, captain of the women's Australia sevens team from the World Cup in Dubai, takes to the lectern now and praises her sport's universality across both sexes.

11.51: A quick video now with 'best bits' snippets from the recent IRB World Cup - very convincing

11.49: And he makes a fine point that sevens is played in front of packed houses by the strongest and fittest athletes around.

11.48: IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset now takes the floor and leads rugby sevens' presentation.

11.43: Time for rugby sevens' presentation, but first a brief word from Franco Carraro again.

11.40: It reminds me a bit of school exams when you had to be quarantined if you had taken the exam earlier than some others.

11.39: Time for the vote now, but unfortunately we won't know the result until after rugby's presentation. The golf delegation is being led off to a waiting room.

11.36: An interesting point has been raised now - with 60 men and 60 women set to compete, there will be a number of countries not represented at the Olympics, but Peter Dawson moves to allay fears.

"We have a duty to combine excellence with geography but we want to include as many golfers as we can in future Olympic Games," he says.

11.32: The key question now - men only clubs.

"I'm aware that golf has a reputation for having men only clubs," says Dawson. "But the number of single sex clubs is currently less than half of one percent and that number is falling rapidly.

"We also believe that should golf receive Olympic inclusion then we expect another step closer towards equality."

11.29: Cost of equipment now - an easier question to bat down and Peter Dawson does so quite easily.

"Equipment can be very expensive but also very affordable and I'm quite surprised by the question about that," he says.

An innane answer to a simlarly pointless question then.

11.28: A difficult start, as he has to concede that the IGF at present does not have a president but Dawson insists should golf get the nod, there will be considerable restructuring.

11.26: Lots of points there for Peter Dawson to reply to, how well he does so could make or break their bid

11.21: And Anita de Franz raises a poignant question about women not being allowed in some rather old-fashioned clubhouses.

11.20: Korea's Ung Chang is concerned about the price of golf clubs.

"One second hand stick cost 1200 Euros," he exc laims.

11.17: Question time now,  Malaysia's Tan Seri Hamzah bin Haji Abu Samah wants to know exactly who the president of the IGF is

11,15: Michelle Wie reveals she's been dreaming of sinking the winning put at the Olympics since she was four, then passes on to some words of wisdom from Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, who have sent pre-recorded messages from the Presidents Cup.

HELPING HAND: Tiger Woods implores the IOC Session to vote to include golf in the Olympics (Getty Images) 

11.12: Suzann Pettersen up now and lots of inspirational words about dreams being realised etc.

11.08: Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington up now - short and sweet from the Irishman but he gets his point across nonetheless.

"As a child growing up in Ireland I always dreamed of being an Olympian," he says. "And if it so happens I would cherish the opportunity."

11.06: PGA Tour Executive Vice President Ty Votaw confirms to composition of the golf competitions.

72-hole strokeplay competitions for men and women with 60 athetes in each, determined by the official world rankings.

11.02: Peter Dawson is currently hamming up the universality and inclusive aspects of golf. He's reeling off the figures of those who take part and watch - a smart move as it's golf's elitist reputation that remains their biggest obstacle

10.58: The golf delegation comprises of Matteo Manassero, the youngest ever winner of the Amateur Championship, the USA's Michelle Wie, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Norway's Suzann Pettersen.

No Tiger but he does pop up in the mandatory inspirational video now playing to the IOC members.

10.55: Interestingly, he's speaking in French, sure to win a few votes with that perhaps?

10.54 Time for the golf presentation now - first up R&A chief Peter Dawson.

10.48: Back to Franco Carraro to introduce the case for golf now.

"The International Golf Federation has agreed to make that the none of the four major tournaments will coincide with the Olympic Games, much in the same way to that of tennis," he says.

"And I must add it is the young who are entering competitions more and more and the young players who are showing their skills for golf."

10.46: Voting is now closed - I can't imagine there will be too many surprises in the result.

And there are 85 yes's and 8 no's - one or two not pleased then

10.42: Time to vote on the 26 current core sports - simple question for the members - do you agree with the list?

10.40: Core sports-wise, President Jacques Rogge confirms that after London 2012 one of the 26 will be struck off meaning there is room for one more sport to join the core.

10.39: Question time now and there's some concern over what will now happen to the five sports, shunned by the Executive Board in August.

Going back to rugby sevens briefly and should it get the nod, the world famous Maracana could stage the first ever Olympic competition

Rio look to Maracana as potential Rugby Sevens venue

10.27: Franco Carraro is back on the mic and concurs with Denis Oswald's statement about mixed doubles.

10.18: Frankie Fredericks, everyone's favourite silver medallists, pleads with the IOC members to accept the two proposed sports and is shamed by the fact there will be only 26 sports at London 2012.

10.08: The USA's Anita de Frantz feels the need to respond on behalf on the girls.

"It's that approach that has been the problem but the athletes are fully prepared and we cannot allow things such us beauty to cloud our thoughts," she says.

10.04: Canada's Dick Pound slams the process by which both rugby sevens and golf have reached this stage at the expense of squash, baseball, softball, karate and roller sports.

"It's a take it or leave it situation and the Session is not allowed to consider all seven sports," he says. "It's not a transparent process because we do not know why the other five sports were not chosen - it's not fair."

10.01: Mohamed Mzali has some concerns about women's boxing, even though he admits he will vote in favour of the decision taken in August.

"I am concerned because women have good figures but when it comes to boxing they could get black eyes," he says. "They could also be punched on their breasts which are normally for feeding babies and they might even faint in competition."

09.59: Discussion time now and Prince Albert of Monaco, never shy of a few words, makes a very salient point that mixed doubles in tennis would not require any more athletes as those in the singles could compete.

09.53: And there will be a decision taken on mixed doubles for tennis in December.

09.52: Carraro is clearly a feminist at heart.

"More than 45 per cent of the participants at London 2012 will be women and that is a big success," he adds. 

09.49: He also confirms that any events added to sports such as cycling and swimming, which will be finalised in December - women's boxing being the only exception.

"Up until now it has not been convenient for women to box," says Carraro.

09.46: Franco Carraro is getting shirty about the number of athletes and events set to be at London 2012.

"We must keep to the limit of maximum number of athletes to 10,500 - in Beijing there were 10,900," he says. "And there can be no more than 300 events, there were 302 in Beijing."

09.44: Franco Carraro, head of the Olympic Programme Commission, takes the floor now to firstly discuss the sports at the London 2012 Games. In Guatemala City in 2007 the IOC confirmed there would be 26 sports.

Carraro is doing his best in English but is using words such as passionated and examinated.......

09.28: The chief executives of both the IRB and Royal and Ancient on their sport's Olympic ambitions.

R&A chief: Golf is not an elitist sport

EXCLUSIVE - IRB: Home unions back Olympic Sevens

09.27: In their own words - why golf and rugby sevens want to join the Olympic circus.

DECISION 2016: Fan appeal and broadcast interest are key to rugby sevens' Olympic bid

DECISION 2016: Golf highlights their common values with Olympic Games

09.25: Rogge has instructed his members to take a quick ten minute break - reminding them 'some of you have flights to catch'.

09.20: The six new members are now being allowed into the inner sanctum. Jacques Rogge has just said 'my dear colleagues' for the 12th time today.

He is bidding the new arrivals a 'hearty welcome'. Their membership will be effective after they take the oath later this morning.

09.15: So that takes the IOC's membership to 112 as Sweden's Goran Petersson, who is sailing's liaison man with the IOC, gets the predicted nod.

09.10: A black woman has been elected to an IOC membership still dominated by white men from Europe in their sixties.

Burundi's Lydia Nsekera is certainly qualified and won the IOC's Women in Sport Award earlier this year and campaigns to raise awareness on sexual violence against women. Six of her new colleagues still voted no though.

09.08: Not much drama here. As predicted, Oman's Habib Abdul Nabi Macki is in - 18 said no though.

09.05: For those interested there are three British members of the IOC. Sir Craig Reedie - now a member of the executive board - Sir Phillip Craven, the president of the International Paralympic Committee, and HRH The Princess Royal - who won't be voting as she has already gone home.

09.04: Nigeria's Habu Ahmed Gumel is next to be elected, again by a healthy majority but 13 said no.

08.58: St Lucia's Richard Peterkin is first to be confirmed following by the Crown Prince of Denmark. Hardly a shock that after members have enjoyed the delights of 'wonderful Copenhagen' for the past ten days.

However, nine members didn't vote for the heir to the Danish throne and six abstained. Maybe, they didn't like the food - or the weather.

08.57: With rugby sevens nervously waiting to hear their Olympic fate - here's a take on its supporters in the IOC - past and present.

DECISION 2016: Rogge and Coubertin united in rugby's Olympic ambition

IOC SESSION: Reelected IOC President Jacques Rogge presides over the final day's business at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen (Getty Images)

08.55: The session is now considering six nominees to join the IOC membership.

All have been vetted by a nominating committee and their election is considered a formality.

Despite criticism that the organisation remains too euro-centric, they include Sweden’s Goran Petersson, the president of the International Sailing Federation, and Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik.

Also there is only one woman in the shortlist – Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera. Nsekera is only female president of a national football association.

Also up for election are St Lucia’s Richard Peterkin and Nigeria’s Habu Ahmed Gumel, both presidents of their respective national Olympic committees, plus Oman’s Habib Abdul Nabi Macki, the vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia.

08.48: And Samih Moudallal is clearly no sore loser.

"Allow me to personally congratulation all of today's winners," he says. "But I shall not commiserate those who did not win because there are no winners or losers, only freedom and the Olympic movement are winners today."

Whatever you say Samih.

08.47: John Coates flies the flag for the Aussies and he follows Sir Craig Reedie onto the Executive Board. He offers warm congratulations to Jacques Rogge and everyone who has been successful today. 

08.41: Oops! That's a big turn up for the books - Ireland's Patrick Hickey is dumped out despite finishing second to Sir Craig Reedie in the first vote - perhaps some geographical voting going on there.

08.40: If I was a gambling man I wager that C.K. Wu is going to follow.................

08.38: I spoke too soon! Samih Moudallal bows out again.

08.36: Onto the second vote, we could have a Paddy joining Sir Craig if Patrick Hickey is successful - I'm worried about Samih Moudallal's chances though.

08.32: And there's something for the Brits to cheer about as Sir Craig Reedie gets the nod and is grinning for ear to ear.

"Thank you for this declaration of support," he says. "I look forward to working on the Executive Board, particularly in the lead-up to London Olympic Games."

You can't help but think that the London Olympics played their part.

TOP TABLE: Great Britain's Craig Reedie has been elected to the IOC's Executive Board - a big boost to London 2012 organisers (Getty Images)

08.30: John Coates is out leaving Patrick Hickey and Sir Craig to duel for the first available place - a classic Anglo-Irish rivalry

08.28: And he's quickly joined by fellow VP reject C.K. Wu - that leaves the three Anglo-Saxons in the mix.

08.25: Oh dear, Samih Moudallal is not having a good morning, he's first to get the chop for the third time today!

08.21: Now onto the voting for the Executive Board - two positions for this again, what with Mario Pescante's successful election as vice-president. Some British involvement here, Sir Craig Reedie is among the five candidates.

The others are Australia's John Coates, Ireland's Patrick Hickey and two familiar faces - Samih Moudallal and C.K. Wu.

Catch up with Jacques Rogge's reelection here

08.19: Ser Miang Ng takes the two-horse race by 52 votes to 43, and takes the floor.

"I will continue to serve our movement with all my dedication," he says. "Now my next important role will be to organise a successful Youth Olympic Games."

08.15: And the first ballot goes to form, with Samih Moudallal of Syria swiftly shown the door - it's down to two.

08.14: Voting's closed. I hope the chap ferrying the results to Jacquess Rogge had a big breakfast today because he's certainly outting in the yards this morning.

08.13: Moving swiftly on and it's round two - Samih Moudallal, Ser Miang Ng and C.K. Wu will do battle for the second available vice-president position.

08.10: And Mario Pescante takes it with a 53-37 victory - and is now going to say a few words

"I'm very emotional," he says. "First of all I would like to complement all my competitors. And I know it is somewhat superflous my I would to reiterate my loyalty to President Rogge and the Olympic family."

08.07: The vo tes are coming thick and fast this morning - out of the four candidates, Samih Moudallal of Syria is the first to bite the dust, closely followed by Singapore's Ser Miang Ng. That leaves Italy's Mario Pescante and C.K. Wu of Chinese Taipei still in the running.

08.05: Next up elections for IOC Vice Presidents.

08.00: Straight to busi ness and they are not hanging around. Jacques Rogge is reelected as President of the International Olympic Committee by 88 votes to one. Joao Havelange suggested the vote should be held by acclamation - Rogge insisted on a secret ballot.

07.50: It is really a week since Rio was announced as the host of the 2016 Olympics?

Already there has been some controversy with the governor of Tokyo making some strange suggestions about foul play.

ion/086565-igaya-apologies-rio-officials-and-ioc-over-ishiharas-comments">Japanese IOC member Chiharu Igaya was quick to apologise and steps down as an IOC vice-president today.

07.40: The story below will give a little flavour on what we can expect at the Bella Centre today.

Big decisions still ahead as IOC considers new sports and members

A big day of decisions as the International Olympic Committee conclude their annual Session in Copenhagen.

Golf and rugby sevens make their final presentations in a bid to be include d in the programme for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Before then Jacques Rogge will be reelected for a third-term as IOC President - he is running unopposed.

In addition, Great Britain's Sir Craig Reedie is looking for a place on the Executive Board - the top table of Olympic decision making where the UK hasn't had a presence for almost 50 years.

Six new members will also be put to the vote following recommendations from the IOC's nominations committee - including Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.