Golf, rugby and squash are on a shortlist of five sports to be assessed for possible inclusion in the 2012 Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee is reviewing the merits of all 28 current Olympic sports and disciplines following the Athens Games and has decided also to assess golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports.

"We have sent a questionnaire to the 28 Summer federations represented in the Olympic Games," an IOC spokesman said.

"It is all part of the ongoing review of the Olympic programme. As part of this process the IOC has decided to include five sports not currently in the Games."

The IOC earlier this year drew up a list of 33 criteria on which Olympic sports would be assessed, ranging from the history and development of the sport to gender equity and the impact on the environment of staging the sport.

"These criteria will help us to make a decision at the session in Singapore next July as to the programme for the Olympic Games in 2012," the spokesman said.

MAJOR BOOST

Three sports - softball, baseball and modern pentathlon - had been under threat of exclusion from the 2008 Games in Beijing before being reprieved in 2002.

The IOC said there would be no changes until the 2012 Games at the earliest.

IOC president Jacques Rogge is determined to combat gigantism in the Games and has said that if any sport is to enter the Olympics, one will have to be thrown out.

Golf and rugby union have appeared in the Olympics before but roller sports, karate and squash would be making their debut if included on the programme in 2012.

Five cities -- Paris, Madrid, London, New York and Moscow -- are bidding to host the 2012 Olympic.

The World Squash Federation saw its inclusion on he shortlist as a major boost.

"We have fought for 20 years to achieve our dream of being on the Olympic programme, in the sure knowledge that every top squash player would rank an Olympic medal as the greatest prize in the sport," honorary president Susie Simcock said.

"This review by the IOC is wonderful news for squash."

Rugby, an Olympic sport in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924, has long made clear its wish to return to the fold.

Argentine scrumhalf Augustin Pichot is typical of those leading the campaign for inclusion. "For me playing in the Olympic Games would be the highest achievement as a rugby player," he says.