Sevens primed for Olympics
9 Dec 2008
Sevens rugby could be included as an Olympic sport at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens tournament director, Beth Coalter, said the chairperson of the IRB, Bernard Lapasset, was lobbying the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to have Sevens instated as an Olympic sport.
The IRB expects to have an answer from the International Olympics Committee (IOC) by October 9 2009.
“There’s a possibility that we will be able to take part as early as 2012,” Coalter told Die Burger.
“The winners won’t receive medals though, but will play demonstration matches only. If these trials in London are a success, there is a strong possibility that Sevens rugby would be included in the 2016 Olympic Games as an official Olympic sport.
“With Sevens rugby you have two days of extremely exciting action. The big stadium in Beijing often stood empty during this year’s Games. When Sevens rugby was played at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, spectators filled the seats.
“The profile of Sevens rugby would be raised considerably by being part of the Olympics, meaning that participating countries would also receive the support of their governments,” explained Coalter.
Speaking of the World Cup in Dubai (5-7 March 2009), Coalter said: “After the Dubai tournament, we went back to the drawing board to see how we could improve. One change to be implemented is that we will also have 16 women’s teams to go with the 24 men’s teams at the World Cup tournament.”
862 Comments
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10 Dec 2008, 00:03 am
#842 K9_BaasPatrolliehond: The Bulls? What!!!! Who else?
Good for you, a long day is good day.
10 Dec 2008, 00:04 am
#847 Checkin:
Anything slightly to the left of the centre and the pack will come after you like a bunch of mad wolves.
10 Dec 2008, 00:05 am
#850 SodaJoe</a oops, didn’t mean it like that. Actually got that drift of that joke a looong time ago. Just threw it in here. But I’ve noticed,.. I know what you maybe mean.
10 Dec 2008, 00:07 am
#852 Robzim: LOL.
Cry baby.
10 Dec 2008, 00:10 am
Interesting. for real. Serious. I’ve been reading here some time. I’ve noticed.
10 Dec 2008, 00:13 am
It’s getting too early. So good night, thanks for the hello!
10 Dec 2008, 00:14 am
Cheers all,
I am out now before the “only the lonely are still blogging” thing starts working on my mind.
10 Dec 2008, 00:21 am
SJ
leave out the ringers as you say…but not age barrier. it would be great if legends of the game could play, guys who have had season upon season in 7s. would help the spectacle.
10 Dec 2008, 00:24 am
#858 Tomsta: The HK 7′s Finals are really exciting. I don’t watch 7′s at all, so can’t comment on anything else about current players etc. Or even the 7′s circuit. Do you watch it at all?
10 Dec 2008, 00:40 am
#859 SodaJoe: i try and watch it when its broadcast at a decent time.
tend to mostly see highlights, and since nz tend to make it far in most tournaments there is often some 7s on rugby channel or othe sky sports channels.
am going to a 7s tournament for first time next year! stoked about that.
my uncle used to attend the HK 7s annually. always talked highly of it. i enjoy it, its sort of an eye on the upcoming rugby talent that could make it big in XVs.
10 Dec 2008, 00:52 am
#860 Tomsta: I am out of here Tommy. See you through the window.
10 Dec 2008, 15:30 pm
Our Olympic medal hopes just doubled!
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