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more »Rugby Sevens confirmed as Olympic sport!
Rugby Sevens can officially call itself an Olympic Sport after it won a majority vote at the IOC congress in Copenhagen.
Sevens' presentation led by Bernard Lapasset, IRB President, was well received by the IOC committee with the exciting, fast and huge universality of the sport impressing the members.
Rugby Sevens had 81 votes in favour and eight against with one abstention. Golf was also voted into the 2016 Games passing by 63 votes to 27, with two abstentions. The Bella Centre in the Danish capital hosted the conference.
Both sports will also participate at the 2020 Games.
"We are excited and honoured to be joining the Olympic Games and I would like to thank the IOC members for believing in our Olympic vision and our values and recognising that Rugby Sevens is a perfect fit for the Olympic Games," said Lapasset
"The Olympic Games will be the pinnacle of the sport for all our athletes and the Rugby family. The best men's and women's players in the world are excited to be able to showcase their talent on the world's greatest sporting stage."
"We are now looking forward to working in partnership with the IOC to develop and implement a Rugby Sevens tournament in Rio that will reach out to new audiences and inspire a new generation of sports fans around the world," added Lapasset.
Mike Miller, CEO of International Rugby Board, called rugby sevens a "modern, youthful and skillful sport" that was made for television and sponsors and "loved by fans and players alike."
Former Argentina captain Agustín Pichot, Cheryl Soon, captain of the Australia team that won the Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009, Kenya Sevens captain Humphrey Kayange, Anastassiya Khamova, one of Kazakhstan's top female players and New Zealand Rugby legend Jonah Lomu also proposed Sevens' case
Lomu, a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, said: "To see my sport in the best arena would be fantastic for rugby, men's and women's. We are very passionate about it - you just have to say where we have to play and the best players will come. I can speak for all of them - they will turn up."
Rugby has proposed a seven-a-side tournament for 12 men's and 12 women's teams but would be keen to expand this number if it is logistically possible. Miller also discussed the benefits of an intertwined tournament for the Men’s and Women’s teams.
A reoccurring theme throughout Rugby's presentation was the huge success of the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Dubai.
"Congratulations to both federations. We all look forward to great competition in 2016 and 2020," Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, said.
"Time will show your decision was very wise."
TRANSCRIPT OF IRB PRESENTATION TO IOC CONGRESS
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COMMENTS
nick woodbine Fri 9 Oct 2009 13:08
Awesome news guys! I think it was Tim's radio interview that swung it!. Here's to a trip to Rio....
Reply | Report this PostTerry O'Connor Fri 9 Oct 2009 13:48
The worlds best team sports is now where it belongs...The Olympic Games! put the champagne on ice down Rio way!!
Reply | Report this PostdeLacey Fri 9 Oct 2009 13:56
This is huge! Congrats to all involved in the campaign - superb job. Guessing UR7s will be heading to Copacabana Beach to provide comprehensive coverage..?!
Reply | Report this Postamsterdam sevens Fri 9 Oct 2009 14:16
congratulations. This is fantastic news. Now we can all move forward.
Reply | Report this PostThe Amsterdam Sevens 2010 is going to be even more exciting.
Manuel Cabral Fri 9 Oct 2009 14:58
Mike Miller said:
Reply | Report this PostCurrently, Rugby World Cup Sevens is the four-yearly pinnacle of the
Rugby Sevens calendar.
If you decide to include Rugby Sevens today, we would replace Rugby
World Cup Sevens with the new Olympic tournament, making the
Olympic Games the true pinnacle of Rugby Sevens... just as the
Paralympic Games is for our colleagues in wheelchair Rugby.
Does that mean that RWC7's will be cancelled?
If I imagine that, I would be against the Olympics
I love Olympics, but I love more th RWC7's with it's unique athmosphere
Manuel Cabral
Manuel Cabral Fri 9 Oct 2009 14:58
Mike Miller said:
Reply | Report this PostCurrently, Rugby World Cup Sevens is the four-yearly pinnacle of the
Rugby Sevens calendar.
If you decide to include Rugby Sevens today, we would replace Rugby
World Cup Sevens with the new Olympic tournament, making the
Olympic Games the true pinnacle of Rugby Sevens... just as the
Paralympic Games is for our colleagues in wheelchair Rugby.
Does that mean that RWC7's will be cancelled?
If I imagine that, I would be against the Olympics
I love Olympics, but I love more th RWC7's with it's unique athmosphere
Manuel Cabral
Daniel Storch Fri 9 Oct 2009 19:28
nice one specially as it happened here in Copenhagen!
Reply | Report this Postagade hallygan Wed 2 Dec 2009 16:44
I CANT WAIT for the 2016 olympics to see our rugby boys do their thing.
Reply | Report this Posthaley Sun 5 Jun 2011 09:39
will women's 7's also be included in the 2016 Olympics or just men's?
Reply | Report this PostPOST A COMMENT