oct.04.2009
The global Rugby family faces a last few pivotal days in the run-up to the IOC vote in Copenhagen on 9 October, when it will be decided whether Sevens is to be admitted to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Leading figures from the International Rugby Board are in Copenhagen to present to the IOC ahead of the vote along with members of their bid team, including former Argentina 15s and Sevens captain Agustin Pichot, Kenya Sevens captain Humphrey Kayange, Sevens World Cup-winning Wallaroo Cheryl Soon, Kazakhstan Sevens star Anastassiya Khamova and one of the true modern legends of the game, Jonah Lomu.
The IRB Sevens World Series has proved a compelling shop window for the Sevens game over the past 10 years and in recent times Rugby's only true World Series has attracted record broadcast and attendance figures.
The game has also already proved a massive hit at various multisport games around the world and, with the potential of now being played on the world of sport's biggest stage, the Olympic Games, the game's top stars have made it clear that they would play for the honour of calling themselves Olympians.
Within rugby circles, Sevens is seen as the perfect fit for the Olympics, with its guaranteed skill, pace and excitement delivered within the window of just two or three days, and in the men's and women's game.
The sport also offers genuine opportunities to nations who have never before won an Olympic medal, such as Fiji and Samoa, as well as other countries not often near the top of the Games medals table such as South Africa (the current World Series champions), New Zealand (eight-time World Series champions, three-time Commonwealth champions), Kenya and Argentina.
"I don't think people realise yet how big this could be for rugby," said IRB Chief Executive, Mike Miller.
"The Olympic Games is the biggest stage in the world for sport .. it would be massive for the game.
"This could be a huge decision for rugby."