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Rugby's top brass believe the World Cup Sevens provided a great stepping stone for the sport’s bid for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games.

Two delegates from the International Olympic Committee were in Dubai to watch Wales produce a major upset to be crowned champions, while Australia won the first women’s World Cup.

The IRB has also enlisted some of rugby's biggest names in a bid to push its claims for Olympic status; including All Black great Jonah Lomu and Sevens World Cup and Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio.

Rugby sevens is competing with baseball, softball, golf, squash, karate and roller-sports for two available spaces in the 2016 Olympics.

The final decision will be made at a vote of Olympic delegates in Lausanne, Switzerland this October. But judging by the effort on show by the 40 teams, and the excitement at The Sevens, rugby delivered itself a winning vote.

International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset said:

“This was a tremendous tournament this year for the men and women playing at the same time.

“It was a massive event that we have created in Dubai. I think it’s a new step for the sevens, a very important moment for the sevens.

“We also had some delegates from the IOC here for this tournament and I am sure they were appreciative of what we have done. It was a very exciting event, a big crowd for the three days and the quality of the play. The men and women have put on a great event for rugby in the world.”

It is understood the Olympic delegates were impressed by the colour and diversity of the two tournaments which featured teams from as far afield as Brazil, Uganda, Tunisia and the Arabian Gulf, as well as the more established rugby nations.

The advent of a women's World Cup also being played alongside the men's tournament in Dubai was seen by the IRB as an answer to those concerns. Australia won the women's tournament, beating New Zealand 15-10 in the final.

IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited chairman Bernard Lapasset said the women's tournament had been a huge success, highlighting Sevens' competitiveness and global appeal.

The semi-final spread in the Men’s Melrose came from four different continents after a series of upsets saw Wales beat sevens heavyweights New Zealand and England crash out to Samoa, while Kenya beat defending champions Fiji and Argentina downed South Africa.

Kit McConnell, who is head of Rugby World Cup was also impressed:

“I think those upsets just underline how competitive sevens is generally. In terms of the Olympics, it shows how many regions and countries around the world are now competitive at the top level. I think it only underlines how much rugby has grown and continues to grow”, said McConnell.

And Dallaglio, a member of England's 1993 Sevens World Cup-winning side, said he believed Sevens would be the ideal addition to the Olympic movement.

"I speak for the entire rugby family when I say that we believe that rugby would strengthen and support the Olympic movement and that the Olympic Games would be great for rugby," Dallaglio said following the World Cup.

"The camaraderie of being part of a national team with athletes from different sports all competing side by side. Being part of the world's greatest sporting event and extending the reach of the Games, particularly to more young people, for years to come."