Steffe Graff and Andre Agassi make a good mixed doubles duo on the tennis court. Now you will be able to see some of your favorite mixed doubles duos in the Olympics. Olympic leaders made the change Thursday, December 10 for the 2012 London Games.
Mixed doubles was played at several Olympics from 1900 to 1924. The last gold medalists were Americans Richard Williams and Hazel Wightman in Paris in 1924. Tennis was dropped from the Olympics after 1924 but returned as a medal event in 1988 without mixed doubles.
The International Olympic Committee said mixed doubles “will bring an added value to the Olympic program by providing another opportunity for men and women to compete together on the same field of play.”
Thursday’s decision was welcomed by ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti. “The ITF is very happy and grateful that the IOC Executive Board has decided to add mixed doubles to the program for the Olympic Tennis Event for London 2012 and beyond,” he said “We believe that this addition will make Olympic tennis a truly unique event, with top players having the opportunity to compete for their countries and the honor of an Olympic Medal in three distinct disciplines: singles, doubles and mixed doubles.”
Tennis at the next summer games will be held at the prestigious All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon.
