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Maik Kwambo

Friday 9th October 2009 was undoubtedly the biggest day in rugby union history since the game turned professional.

It was a truely memorable day for rugby players, enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to readmit the game of rugby to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1924. Unlike 1924 when the rugby competition was a fifteen-a-side event, the game will be played in the abridged sevens version in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Now the news has sunk in, it is time to look at the impact of sevens rugby on the Olympics and the game as well. Speaking prior to the IOC vote, International Rugby Board (IRB) Chief Executive Mike Miller said,

"I don't think people realise yet how big this could be for rugby."

"This is right up there with the inception of the Rugby World Cup and the game going open.

"We have 116 members of the IRB, but there are 205 nations involved in the Olympics and I have already been approached by a number of countries who have said that if sevens is included, they will be interested in investing in rugby.

"In countries like Russia, China, the US – big markets – it would make a huge difference. For instance in Russia they are only allowed to have Olympic sports on the school’s curriculum.

"It would also lead to many millions of pounds being invested in the game across the world and many extra facilities being made available. It would have a huge impact in speeding up the growth of the game around the world."

Throw in the entertainment value and I thinks Rugby Sevens will make the Olympics more memorable, though critics may argue that Usain Bolt has ably covered that gap!

Think about Wales unexpected win in the 2009 RWC Sevens or the fact that New Zealand, England and Fiji were not in contention when this tournament concluded. Think about Kenya's Shujaa making the semi-final of the same event at the expense of defending champions Fiji or their string of solid performances during the
2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series.

Perhaps compare this to Usain Bolt dominance of the 100m and 200m sprints, where an American sprinter was quoted as saying that " you would probably have to trip that Usain Bolt to keep him from victory". This contrasts to Sevens where anything could happen; the form book can be thrown out of the window. The gold medal could be anyone’s creating the much needed excitement a requisite of Olympic events.

Steve Betham, the Samoa Sevens coach, speaking after his side won the 2009 Pacific Mini Games Gold medal was particularly excited.

"It would provide us minnows of world sport with a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the world the skill and passion of our players and countries. It (the chance of a medal) is indescribable! We could not have imagined such a thing would be possible, but very soon that may be a wonderful possibility".

Well, it is now a possibility. Just what the doctor ordered for the Games.

Let us turn our attention to the women's game and Ali Donnely says in an article on Scrumqueens recently.

"Despite concerns around the global future of the 15s game at international women’s level, giving sevens rugby the nod will unquestionably change the face of the women’s game, bringing potentially thousands of new players to the sport."

By having rugby showcased at the Olympic Games, its profile and growth could only be headed in one direction- sky high. It can aid the rugby landscape as a whole. As respected British The Guardian wrote in “All forms of the game will grow, not just sevens".

-with additional info courtesy of

The Guardian

The Daily Telegraph

International Rugby Board

Scrum Queens