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International Rugby Board (IRB) President Bernard Lapasset presented an update today on the progress of Rugby Sevens to an assembled audience of international sports stakeholders at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona.

The International Olympic Committee’s decision to include Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games just five months ago at their Session in Copenhagen provided a tremendous boost to Rugby and the enthusiasm felt across the Rugby Family at the time is already delivering visible progress around the world.

President Lapasset, who successfully led the IRB team in their Olympic inclusion campaign, said: “Not only has the popularity of Rugby Sevens further accelerated since the IOC’s decision with visibly increased attendance and broadcast figures for the opening rounds of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series, we are also already witnessing significant developments in key new markets such as China and Russia.

“We are committed to ensuring that all our Unions have access to a development and tournament pathway that optimises the effects of Olympic Games inclusion. We are encouraging our National Unions to actively collaborate with their local governments and National Olympic Committees to develop strategies to foster the inclusion of Rugby in school curriculums as well as secure enhanced funding for development programmes.

“We firmly believe that there are meaningful opportunities ahead and indeed have already witnessed positive results since October 2009 such as in Russia, where Rugby programmes are being developed within schools and across the country, and in China and Brazil where development programmes are being launched.

Rugby legend Jonah Lomu who actively campaigned for the inclusion of Sevens in the Olympic Games was in Barcelona to take part in a Rugby demonstration involving over 80 boys and girls from the local community on Tuesday evening.

The former Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens Gold medallist ran a coaching session, signed autographs and spoke about the positive effects of Olympic Games inclusion and his excitement for the future of the Sport.