NEWS
more »Backing Olympic Rugby

Let’s remind ourselves of what some of the players, coaches, and officials have said in the build up to tomorrow’s decision, on whether Sevens will become an Olympic sport in 2016.
“I don't think people realise yet how big this could be for rugby. The Olympic Games is the biggest stage in the world for sport, we have currently 116 members, there are 205 nations involved in the Olympics, so right away you have to imagine that a number of those countries will say 'we want to join the rugby revolution, we want to set up a union.” – Mike Millar (IRB Chief Executive)
"The fans absolutely love Sevens. They create a carnival atmosphere, which is what the Olympics is all about. It fits hand in hand." - Ugo Monye (England 7s, England)
“Sevens is ideal for the honing of a players’ skill because of the high level of intensity and the finesse that it demands from an individual to succeed. The Olympics is a gathering of the finest athletes in the world and it would be awesome for rugby players to perform on the same platform.” Bobby Skinstad (South Africa)
"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." - Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
"The top players would come and play in an Olympic Games tournament and would be proud to be Olympians. I have no doubt about that. We are all in sport to be the best and the Olympic Games is the world's biggest sporting stage." - Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
"Rio is ready to receive rugby Sevens in 2016 at the Olympics. Having Sevens in the 2016 Olympics would be incredible. For us as athletes it would be a proud moment to compete in our sport, here in our country – Beatriz ‘Baby’ Futuro (Brazil)
"Participation on the world's greatest sporting stage is a dream for all players and it would provide the chance to smaller nations to win an Olympic medal." - Santiago Gomez Cora (Argentina)
"I think Rugby Sevens should be included in the Olympics because, for us in China especially, it would encourage people to play, especially youngsters. The chance to have rugby in the Olympics will see a boom in Chinese rugby." - Zheng Hongjun (China Women's Sevens coach)
"The people in the States haven't really caught on to rugby yet, not because they don't think it's a great sport but because they don't know the rules, and I think if we get the bid to go into the Olympic Games it would send it over the edge." - Former NFL player, Leonard Peters (USA),
“You play sport at the highest level to challenge yourself to be the best that you can possibly be and to compete with the best from all over the world, and what better stage to do that on than at the Olympics?” – Sue Day, (England)
"Olympic inclusion would have a massive effect on the growth of the game across Asia. This is a real opportunity to engage new rugby markets, take the game to new communities and get more men, women, boys and girls playing the sport." – John Kirwan (Japan Coach)
"I would love to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games - the world's greatest sporting stage. I am sure that it is every top athlete's dream to participate in the Games and for Rugby players it is no different. We would love to be there and competing for Team GB would be exciting, rubbing shoulders with elite athletes from other sports." - Shane Williams (Wales)
"We offer the Olympic Games young, passionate fans that will travel to the Games and fill the stadiums to cheer on Rugby as well as the other Olympic sports. The IRB is also committed to working with every National Olympic Committee to develop their men's and women's Sevens teams and to promote the growth of the sport around the world. Rugby is reaching out.” - Bernard Lappasset (President of the IRB)
LATEST NEWS
more »Star Bloggers
All to play for at the Dala Sevens
Last posted on Wed 1 September 2010
more »Mwamba win the Prinsloo Sevens
Last posted on Mon 30 August 2010
more »KICK OFF TO THE AUSTRALIAN 7'S SEASON
Last posted on Mon 30 August 2010
more »-
Last posted on Fri 27 August 2010
more »





COMMENTS
No comments have been posted yet.
POST A COMMENT