Olympic decision coming soon for rugby sevens

On October 9 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide whether rugby sevens will join the 2016 Olympic Games Programme.

Not since 1924 has rugby featured in the Games when the USA were victorious over France, but last month rugby sevens along with golf was recommended for inclusion by the IOC Executive Board.

Growing year on year the IRB Sevens World Series now visits eight countries, attracting hundreds of players and thousands of fans with Hong Kong regularly selling out its 120,000 capacity stadium. May's Emirates Airline London Sevens at Twickenham was attended by a record 62,000 people over two days.

Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai also attracted thousands last March with broadcast figures shattering all previous records - 28 broadcasters carried live coverage to 141 countries to a global audience of 760 million and for the first time a 16-team women's world cup event was included.

Nicky Ponsford MBE, the Rugby Football Union for Women's Head of Performance, said: "The first joint IRB Rugby World Cup 7s in 2009 proved a tremendous success and demonstrated how effectively the game is developing around the World.

Fans cheer on Fiji at the London Sevens

"Sevens has become an integral part of the development of many players and the current England Women's squad have benefitted hugely from the time spent concentrating on the sevens rugby programme last year. The RFUW are fully supportive of the inclusion of 7s in the Olympic Games in what would be a hugely exciting opportunity to showcase rugby."
The IOC will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 9 where rugby sevens and golf will face separate votes at the meeting with a straight majority required for acceptance.

Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union Elite Rugby Director, said: "Sevens would be an invaluable addition to the Olympic Games. As proved in the Commonwealth Games, the IRB Sevens World Series and through its own Rugby World Cup, it is a thrilling spectacle that captivates the fans.

"Sevens also forms a key part of the development of many players. Current England squad members like Tom Croft and Ugo Monye have benefitted from playing international sevens and always speak highly of it. The thought of joining with the other home unions to make a team GB is very exciting and on behalf of the RFU and the Elite Rugby department I wholeheartedly support the bid to include sevens rugby for men and women at the 2016 Olympic Games."

For more information on rugby sevens at the Olympics, click here