Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Denise Gabbard
Paladin
Craig HillRugby World Cup Sevens Assists Bid For Olympic Inclusion
March 5th 2009 12:56
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset believes the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, starting tonight, could have a significant impact on the game’s bid for re-inclusion to the Olympic Games.
According to Lapasset, who is also RugbyWorldCup chairman, the success of the Sevens in Dubai looms as an important platform for the code as it seeks re-entry to the Olympic movement after contesting five Games between 1900 and 1924.
He also acknowledges the importance of the women’s tournament being staged for the first time at a Rugby World Cup Sevens.
“It is very important,” he said. “Rugby is not just for the men, it is also for the women at the high level of performance.
“We have received good support from the new Unions that we have in women's Sevens . . . here we have Uganda, Brazil, China and Thailand. That is very important in terms of Rugby developing around the world.
“What is very important about major Rugby, in the women’s game in particular, is its universality and that is a very good image. We hope that will be a positive for the Olympic campaign.”
Lapasset, however, would not be drawn on Rugby’s prospects of winning inclusion for the 2016 Olympics, with the IOC to make a decision on any new sports later this year.
“That is very difficult because all the top sports are doing very well for this Olympic campaign,” he said.
“But . . . what is Rugby? Rugby is modern sport. It is very good for the young fan. It is very fast, quick, sharp, short, dynamic.
“That is very important in terms of the value we can bring to the Olympics.”
According to Lapasset, who is also RugbyWorldCup chairman, the success of the Sevens in Dubai looms as an important platform for the code as it seeks re-entry to the Olympic movement after contesting five Games between 1900 and 1924.
He also acknowledges the importance of the women’s tournament being staged for the first time at a Rugby World Cup Sevens.
“It is very important,” he said. “Rugby is not just for the men, it is also for the women at the high level of performance.
“We have received good support from the new Unions that we have in women's Sevens . . . here we have Uganda, Brazil, China and Thailand. That is very important in terms of Rugby developing around the world.
“What is very important about major Rugby, in the women’s game in particular, is its universality and that is a very good image. We hope that will be a positive for the Olympic campaign.”
Lapasset, however, would not be drawn on Rugby’s prospects of winning inclusion for the 2016 Olympics, with the IOC to make a decision on any new sports later this year.
“That is very difficult because all the top sports are doing very well for this Olympic campaign,” he said.
“But . . . what is Rugby? Rugby is modern sport. It is very good for the young fan. It is very fast, quick, sharp, short, dynamic.
“That is very important in terms of the value we can bring to the Olympics.”
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