*





Manu Tuilagi smashes Tom Williams


Top14 player imposter!


JDV smashed by Benoit August


The Northampton Saints 30m scrum!


Bastareaud huge hit on Rory Lamont


All Blacks skills - Pt 2 In the backyard


Trinh-Duc sets up Harinordoquy try


Wales vs England 1999


Greg Holmes great hit on Francois Louw



Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Let's get Rugby in the Olympics

With the eyes of the world currently on Beijing, it makes one wonder just what kind of exposure and growth could be achieved if Rugby were on display. Having the top players of your country having a crack at Gold would be fantastic. The IRB are calling out to all players and supporters to spread the message that Rugby needs to be re-included in the Olympic movement, with Sevens being perfectly suited to it.

While there has been an abundance of criticism for the IRB of late, namely around the ELV discussions, this Olympic drive is sure to get the support of every rugby fan, with the mutual love of the game being the driving factor behind us contributing to getting Rugby on a greater world stage.

Sevens is the fastest growing form of the game, with 32 National Teams taking place in the IRB Sevens World Series this year, 2008. All you have to do is watch one leg of the World Series and you will be amazed at the teams that are on display, and the quality they provide. It's the game for all, and is the ultimate stepping stone towards accelerated growth and popularity of truly global proportions.

Since 1924, when the USA won the Gold Medal, we haven't seen Rugby in the Olympics. Now is the time to change all that, as the IOC are committed to having 28 sports in the 2016 Olympics. Rugby is on a shortlist that includes softball, karate, golf and roller sports. Rugby's merits for inclusion in terms of its Olympic history and its reach as a global sport are obvious.

Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle for Fifteens. Olympic inclusion would mean that Sevens ultimate stage would be the Olympic Games.

The IOC will vote on which sports to include in the Olympic Games in Copenhagen, Denmark in October 2009. To assist in the IRB’s ambition of getting Sevens back in the Olympics by 2016, you can go to http://www.2009congress.olympic.org and Register there to give your feedback. For more information about the drive, and if you have trouble registering on the IOC site, the IRB has provided instructions here.

This emotive video gets the message across perfectly, showing us that Rugby is indeed deserving of a spot on the Olympic roster. Please leave a comment to let us know your thoughts. Let's make a difference. Lets get Rugby in the Olympics.



Time: 02:42
Note: You can read more here


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105 Comments:

  • I'd hope so, and I would love to see Sevens in 2016 at the Olympic Games.
    Great, superb video, which shows the best reasons for playing rugby and why we should be represented in eight years.

    By Blogger Sea-Bass, at August 12, 2008 8:45 pm  

  • it is so ovbious that rugby should be in the olympics. I mean BMXing is in the olympics, come on people wake up. RUGBY IN THE OLYMPICS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER! great vid

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:01 pm  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger andweneverdid, at August 12, 2008 9:02 pm  

  • god i was sure ireland played rugby. seemed to be completely ignored in that video. is it becuase no sevens team?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:04 pm  

  • rugby should be introduced in the 2012 olympics since rugby was invented in Britain it would be fitting.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:06 pm  

  • why did they take rugby out of the olympics in the first place. Wot a stupid decesion. Bring it back.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:08 pm  

  • great vid, bring back rugby. 7's is so amazing to watch.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:09 pm  

  • Rugby is my Sport, Rugby at the Olympic Games !!
    Great vid

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:10 pm  

  • sweet video

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:10 pm  

  • rugby would be great

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:12 pm  

  • i was at the 7's at murrayfield it was fantastic. Scotland beat Fiji. woooooooooooooo

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:13 pm  

  • video highlighted all the reasons of why I luv rugby

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:15 pm  

  • Brought a Tear to Me Eye, that Video Did.

    Rugby should have been included since the early 70s.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:17 pm  

  • who was the scottish women? anyone?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:21 pm  

  • at the moment in the olympics China and USA top the table. Yet in rugby the USA is ranked 20 and China 42nd. If rugby was introduced it would help to shake things up a bit. please please intoduce rugby.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:25 pm  

  • need to put 7's in

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:35 pm  

  • there is football yet not rugby. It makes no scense.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:37 pm  

  • There would be no better sport for the Olympics that would catch the attention of the US and Canada during the summer like 7s.

    Speed, agility and the occational contact. Much more entertaining Summer sport than track and field and cycling or handball.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 9:49 pm  

  • Great idea, but what squad would it be?? would it be the superstars of the 15 a side game or the regular l;esser known players on the 7's circuit!! thats the next debate!!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 10:00 pm  

  • Rugby deserves another Olympic shot. I think that the US in particular is ready now more than ever for it, maybe it will help release the NFL's stranglehold on the market. Regardless, I can't think of a sport that better embodies the Olympic spirit than rugby.

    By Blogger yankflank, at August 12, 2008 10:11 pm  

  • 7's would be perfect because you get the lesser known guys playing and you get a more competetive circuit where any country could win

    By Blogger fullcontactbass, at August 12, 2008 10:16 pm  

  • I agree wholeheartedly and have just written an article on the subject with some facts and figures, thought you might all find it interesting.

    http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-Rugby-Sevens-be-an-Olympic-Event?&id=1397973

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 10:19 pm  

  • HELL YEHZ.

    By Blogger Don, at August 12, 2008 10:26 pm  

  • I'm starting to like Sevens better than XVs.

    Would love to see Sevens rugby at the Olympics for sure.

    Great Britain is made up of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    The Republic of Ireland compete separately in the Olympics.

    In football, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland field separate teams.

    In rugby Ireland have 4 Districts: Ulster (representing Northern Ireland) is one district and their club badge is a red right hand which apparently symbolises their resistance to a united Emerald Isle(correct me if I'm wrong). Despite this Ulster players play rugby for Ireland which to my mind makes perfect sense since they are all, in one sense or another 'Irish'.

    But for the Olympics, would players from Northern Ireland be made to choose between Britain or Ireland?

    Anyone want to put me right?

    To my mind the simple issue would be to leave the Irish rugby team as it is and have Scotland, Wales and England represent UK. Is it that simple? Is it possible?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 10:27 pm  

  • Video gets 9 of out 10 from me!

    a few things:
    1) Would have been cool to have the players from the non-Anglophone countries speak in their own languages. For example, the cognates would have worked -- Argies could have said "Respeto" instead of "respect". I guess the French saying "Camraderie" works too.

    It could help drive home that Rugby's legacy of being an "English" sport is bunk -- look at the Argies, French, Africans, Islanders in the video.

    2) More women's players in the video. Having only one, and showing her twice makes it seem like she was just thrown in there. Would have been great to throw in Farah Palmer, or a top-level Aussie, English, American, or Spanish woman.

    3) No tears in these eyes... But very, very close!

    By Blogger Cheyanquí, at August 12, 2008 10:54 pm  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger Cheyanquí, at August 12, 2008 11:02 pm  

  • ¿if 7s, who plays, the XVs or VIIs guys?

    IMHO, I would suggest that perhaps they use something like the Olympic soccer used to do in the interests of balancing the competitions.

    In OLY Soccer, Europe and South America would have to be U-23 teams, but were allowed 3 senior players. The Rest of the World had open squads (no limit on picking senior players).

    To draw a rugby parallel, I would suggest that:

    A) "Top Tier sporting nations"
    (i.e., Six Nations, SANZAR, ARG, FIJ, SAM)
    These must use their bona fide sevens teams. They are however given X number of exemptions to pick their Dan Carters, Bryan Habanas, and Jonny Wilkos.

    I would say 2-4 exemptions, depending on how big the tour squads are.


    B) Rest of the World may pick any eligible player from their XV or VII pools

    On the other hand, I can see the need for us to come out and fire strong, with the best teams available. I throw out the "handicapped" model as a suggestion only.

    Formats aside, an obvious sidelight would be that the IRB would have the power to compel ANY CLUB, ANY WHERE to release players for Olympic play.

    [Yes, that means you France not releasing Yanks, Argies... or Georgians for that matter]

    One solution may be to have have a six-week moratorium on pro leagues.

    Another may be for the IRB to self-fund insurance policies to cover pro clubs whose players are lost during olympic play. But that's a can o' worms.

    By Blogger Cheyanquí, at August 12, 2008 11:08 pm  

  • The only problem with that is that england wales and scotland will have to enter 1 team, GB. i think lol. as far as i know they cant enter induvidual teams, that mite change though

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 11:15 pm  

  • i really hope sevens gets in, that would be brilliant, but i'm not so sure if fifteens would work, might be a bit like having two world cups or something
    i'd like to see fifteens there, just not sure how well it would work, might be a bit intense
    sevens though, at the risk of repeating myself, would be awesome at the olympics ^_^

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 11:15 pm  

  • Wow.. I've watched it a few times now. What an inspirational video. That moment when they say 'Rugby looks to the future' and it shows the Japanese player kicking the equalising kick over brought a tear to the eye for sure.
    THAT is rugby. Well made video if ever I've seen one.

    Rugby in the Olympics - increasing viewership by the millions. How could they say no to that?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 11:36 pm  

  • anonymous, England had the same problem with Olympic soccer this year and was determined to be ineligible. Something with the four seats GBR has at FIFA (ENG, WAL, SCO, NIR)

    Whatever fix they make for 2012 would be an interesting test case for rugby.

    By Blogger Cheyanquí, at August 12, 2008 11:40 pm  

  • Apart from the vid, that is awesome! We can see much smaller disciplines in the olympics, I wonder why there is no rugby! Bringing rugby in would mean a huge boost in fan numbers

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 12, 2008 11:59 pm  

  • Hell, if they can have Baseball in the Olympics, then why not Rugby?

    How many countries play baseball outside of the U.S, Cuba and Japan? There's a ton of nations playing Ruggers.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 12:05 am  

  • If the United states can have BASEBALL and SOFTBALL in the olympics, why can't the rest of the world have rugby? But just because the US is unable to get people away from that lame sport where people where pads and slap each other on the behind after every move Rugby will have a hard time finding its way into the olympics. Once the US is on board for putting rugby in the games, it's smooth sailing.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 12:21 am  

  • Baseball and Softball were voted out om 2005, effective 2012 games.

    Softball is being canned by the IOC, in part because the Americans are so strong, they don't see it productive to host an event whose outcome is almost surely pre-determined.

    Baseball may have been canned by the IOC as well, in large part because the "best players" weren't being made available, as the Olympics are in-season in the MLB.

    In addition, the IOC doesn't like them because the stadia built to host them (a diamond / triangle)cannot be easily adapted to other team sports (which are played on rectangles)

    On a side note, baseball had its first go at a world cup in 2006 and it was a resounding success (this coming from someone who can't stand to watch baseball).

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_
    Baseball_Classic

    Note that the reigning world champs -- Japan -- are a country of 127MM people. So baseball is reaching a sizeable population, mostly in North America, Central America, and Asia.

    Basically, wherever American servicemen went during WW2 and the Cold War.

    By Blogger Cheyanquí, at August 13, 2008 12:34 am  

  • GBR would have to enter a lions like team - minus the irish i guess.

    i'd prefer to see 15 a side version, but 7s would be better for the global appeal.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 12:35 am  

  • I would be very happy with a sevens tournament. It would be far better than a XVs tourney. Cos a XV tournamnet would involve every rugby playing country in the world right? Or the top-seeded? How do they decide who plays in the football?

    Anyway I love Sevens - I want to start boy and girl teams at the school where I'm going to teach.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 12:39 am  

  • Would have been a biiiit of a better video is someone saved a try by annihilating that kid!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 12:50 am  

  • Think 7's would have to be the format used to cater for # of games. Would be a lot more tams than usual 6N/Tri-N/Argentina stuff

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 1:09 am  

  • Wonderful vid.. touching. (cheesy eheheh) but yeah. seriously though. this made me realize how much rugby means to me and how much i love this great sport. the other day i was thinking why the hell rugby was taken away from the olympics in the first place. great to see the initiative taken to bring it back. I'd love to see the the sport i hold dear to my heart on tv here in sweden. (since sweden is a "football" and "skiiing" country I can't watch rugby on swedish tv, only on french -.-) so yesyeyesyes for rugby in the olympics now and forever!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 1:17 am  

  • "i'm not so sure if fifteens would work, might be a bit like having two world cups or something"
    I think it could work to have fifteens because like the football olympics (not called soccer) most of the best players are away playing for their teams, yet it would still be exiting to watch. If not, 7's is very entertaining to watch and would inspire a lot of kids!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 1:22 am  

  • rugby is more widespread and better to watch than european handball and all that type of lame shit so it should be in the olympics

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 2:19 am  

  • Great video. 7s would fit the olympic schedule a lot better than 15s, as it is quick fire matches that keep the action going on the park and the banter flowing in the crowd - 7s tournaments have some of the best atmospheres you will find anywhere!

    An easy fix for players is to only allow players who have been fielded for 7s at international level previously.. would give you a few "heroes" of the sport and a lot of up and coming stars!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 2:24 am  

  • Great video!!!
    i´d go for the 7`s format because minnows seem to be more competitive than in XV, so it would make it more intresting to watch.
    Think of Samoa and Fiji, even Kenia and Portugal have pretty decent teams in 7`s.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 2:31 am  

  • Maybe then NZ would finally be able to win a medal at the Olympics.

    - forlorn kiwi

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 2:38 am  

  • equestrian? come on we NEED rugby to be in the olympics!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 3:28 am  

  • 1. Loved the Video. Good on the IRB.
    2. Can I download it?
    3. Rugby should be in the Olympics it would be very entertaining to watch.

    By Blogger Hendrick, at August 13, 2008 3:50 am  

  • Bringin' rugby back in Olympic games in the home of Rugby.

    What a nice story!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 4:19 am  

  • A bit cheesy this vid, but I do love rugby.

    It would be quite an eye opener for a lot of people I'm sure to watch it at the games.

    By Blogger Wessel, at August 13, 2008 4:27 am  

  • C'mon, bring it back. Rugby 2012.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 6:23 am  

  • How did the baby turn into a rugby ball?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 7:42 am  

  • I dont think that soccer tennis or even rugby should be olympic sports because they have already got their world stage, i mean if u asked any rugby player if they would rather win an olympic gold or the rugby world cup i think you know the answer. 7's i can agree with but not any of the major sports because it just dosent seem right for these sports to be included in the olympics i mean there all great sports but its just not were they belong theve already got there place.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 8:26 am  

  • Even though dressage, synchronised swimming or handaball are pretty lame sports the olympics is there world stage and i dont think any sports in the olympics are nearly as good as rugby but 7's would be great for the olymics (and would also help spread the game worldwide). By 2012 7's should be in the olympics and would make a fittting contribution to the games and show the world how good rugby can be.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 8:41 am  

  • Two things I recommend everyone to read with regards to Rugby in the Olympics. First is one that I know most won't do, because it requires paying money, but the last chapter (I think it's the last chapter; anyway it's in there) of Richard Beard's book 'Muddied Oafs' presents a compelling case of why Rugby SHOULDN'T be in the Olympics, which is an interesting counterpoint that basically revolves around commercialism.

    The second thing is to read this:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/football/7529807.stm

    which is in regards to a combined Great Britain soccer team in the Olympics, and why it is being opposed vehemently. It's interesting to read that and then think about if the same thing would happen in Rugby, with the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish (at least some of them since it's a combined Ireland side) being different sporting nations but all part of one 'nation' of GB, or the UK, or whatever you want to call it.

    Anyway, I would love to see something in the Olympics, just because it seems like of all the world's major and minor sports, Rugby is a pretty big hole in the middle of the Olympics. Considering the Rugby World Cup is the third-largest sporting event in the world (after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympics) it's funny that it's not represented on such a large stage.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 9:10 am  

  • Hell yeah bring it back to the olympics why did they take it away anyway?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 9:17 am  

  • the world cup of rugby is enough. they dont need the olympics as well.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 9:35 am  

  • rugby should be in the olimpics as its an oportunity for younger players to show how good they are on a global stage. Either in the full 15-a-side game or the faster 7-a-side. Hopefully it will happen as soon as the 2012 olimpics in london

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 10:38 am  

  • Guys it's not a debate between Sevens or Fifteens - it's either sevens or nothing.

    The GB discussion is an interesting one though, and I'd love to hear what the IRB have in mind regarding that.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 10:40 am  

  • Ok for the record... Great Britain = England, Wales and Scotland

    United Kingdom = above + Northern Ireland

    Ireland play club rugby and have 4 sides representing the traditional provinces.

    Ulster represents Ulster not Northern Ireland...as All of Northern Ireland is in Ulster all of Ulster IS NOT in Northern Ireland.

    As legend had it, in order to lay claim to the ancient land of Ulster an invading king cut off his right hand and threw it ashore. Nothing at all to do with politics.

    The formation of the IRU predates the formation of Northern Ireland. Consequently the IRU are allowed to field a "united Ireland" team. Im not sure whether or not they are the only asocciation allowed to do this.

    As for the Olympics i suppose in theory if there was a GB + NI team then players born in NI would be eligable to play.

    However, i agree that for the sake of simplicity things would have to stay the same.

    That said i think a UK team would be a shoe in for the gold medal.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 11:50 am  

  • typical IRB nonsense. i'd love to see rugby in the olympics, of course, but how can you have a video talking about rugby 'reaching out' and show new zealand and south africa more than any other teams? that's like ignoring a developing nation and giving the world cup to an established power. oh yeah....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 1:13 pm  

  • Rugby @ London 2012....but I would really like to see Union...i mean..7s is good...but Union man!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 1:35 pm  

  • I really really want rugby at the olympics as soon as possible. Every 4 years the olympics come and i don´t care that the olympics are going on because there are no sports that i care about so i dont watch it, if rugby became part of the games it would be brilliant and i won´t miss a match! And of the youth nearly no one watches the games because the sports are boring, if rugby became part of the games that would change(L)
    RUGBY PART OF THE OLYMPICS

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 2:29 pm  

  • Definately Sevens. Just think - if you can get a 12- or 16-team tournament in a weekend - on ONE pitch - imagine how many counties you could include with two weeks to play with?

    On a similar note:
    It's too late to get Sevens into the 2012 Olympics.
    Who thinks the IRB should reorganize the 2012 Middlesex Sevens and/or the Twickenham weekend of the IRB Sevens World Tour to take place during the Olympics?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 3:07 pm  

  • Well,I hope rugby will be part of the olympic family,because,for example:Sports like BMXING,BEACH VOLLEYBALL.....are in the olympics and they say rugby can't be???And besides,sevens rugby is a very interesting and entertaining sport to watch!Think of all the people who could be amazed by rugby sevens!!!So they really should get rugby in the olympics.

    Great video buy the way!:)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 4:12 pm  

  • Rugby was taken out of the Olympics in the 1920s after a huge fight between the USA and France. USA won gold on the 2 occasions that rugby was in the Olympics I think.

    Rules for allowing a sport in th Olympics:
    1. There must be over 50 countries playing the sport - there are 95 rugby countries.
    2. A tournament must be complete within 1 week.
    3. The IOC president has to accept the sport - he said rugby was boring!
    RUGBY IN THE OLYMPICS!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 4:55 pm  

  • y 2016?
    2012 in london would be the perfect oportunity to add it being in a rugby playing nation

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 6:05 pm  

  • it should defintley be 7's.
    15's already has a world class event in the world cup so it is 7's or nothing

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 6:10 pm  

  • how the hell did the us win it

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 6:14 pm  

  • Inspired by the video, I wrote a little poem:

    Rugby is a sport played by fifteen men,
    Each man gives his weight by ten,

    Gladiators of the modern age,
    Galdiators on a modern stage,

    Each one raging like a lion caged,
    Some are young and some have aged,

    Its a game for all ages and stages,
    It's a game for all races and places,

    It's our game, known by one name,

    Rugby

    Richard Milbank

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 7:01 pm  

  • i dont see why we have to wait 8 years when london 2012 is the perfect opertunity

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 9:56 pm  

  • Yes you are right,especially if the ceremony will be held at Twickenham...but there is also Wembley so.....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 10:02 pm  

  • The 2012 decision was made a long time ago, and it was rejected. Therefore, the drive for 2016.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 10:49 pm  

  • Thanks for putting me right about the red hand of Ulster. I heard the same story about a Scottish King, but I'm ashamed to say I had the red hand of Ulster explained to me by a Rangers fan who turned out to be a racist bigot.

    I didn't even know the difference between GB and UK until now.

    Also I don't care about commercialism, I want Sevens rugby in the Olympics.

    Would rather see a Scottish team than a British team but agree that a British team would probably have a good chance of upsetting Fiji and NZ.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 11:32 pm  

  • What a tear jerker. I just want to go out and play rugby with friends now. Has to be in the olympics. Rugby is THE sport that symbolises team participation and that sense of a brotherhood and community. Surely Woodward can do something to have an influence on 2012? IF he can't then I see no future for Rugby in the olympics. Which would be a terrible terrible shame

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2008 11:41 pm  

  • I'm not sure about letting another mainstream sport into the olympics. Personally, the Olympics should really restrict the events to those incorporated in the original games in Ancient Greece. Football being an olympic sport is a complete farce, let alone some of the other shit thrown in such as Handball etc.

    If half of the events were stopped, I don't think China would even have a look in.

    But to completely go back on my point, it would be good to see rugby there. But, there is already the World Cup and the whole 7's circuit. Would olympic champion mean anything?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 14, 2008 1:34 am  

  • I think the Scottish woman is Donna Kennedy the most capped Scottish female player. She's playing for the Nomads touring South Africa.

    Any chance of some female rugby highlights from time to time?

    http://www.scottishrugby.org/sru/international/scotland-women/news.cfm?news_uuid=5AB3C156-0B1F-C119-91A3ADB79D72C85D

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 14, 2008 4:18 am  

  • great vid!

    i voted on the IOC website - just annoying you specifically cant vote for rugby, all the irb tells u to vote for are:
    * Olympic Games &
    * Olympism and Youth

    whats to say that will give rugby a better shot at the next olympics.

    RUGBY IS THE GAME PLAYED IN HEAVEN

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 14, 2008 5:47 am  

  • Awesome video! almost brought a tear to my eye. I read that rugby was first actually played in the olympics of Paris in 1924. There were just three teams France, USA and Romania. The match between France and USA got very violent and that's why rugby was deleted of the olympics.
    And the frenchman Pierre de Coubertin who is the father of the Olympics was actually a rugby player.
    Bring back Rugby in the Olympics, a great sports with great values!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 14, 2008 9:19 pm  

  • "Idaho said...
    How did the baby turn into a rugby ball?"

    Her Husband was called Gilbert?!?!?

    (Thankyou thankyou, Im here all week!!!)

    :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 14, 2008 9:55 pm  

  • If soccer in all its greed and corruption can b in the olympics why cant rugby?? Rugby perfectly embodies all that is good in sport. The video really hits the nail on the head

    By Blogger Unknown, at August 14, 2008 10:30 pm  

  • If Equestrian can be an olympic sport. Rugby should be as well. Rugby for the Olympics!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 12:55 am  

  • I just wanted to re-confirm as some have alluded to already, the IOC already made the decision not to include Rugby Sevens and other new sports to the 2012 London Olympics & will not budge on their decision for 2012 hence the push for the 2016 games which could held in either Tokyo-Japan, Chicago-USA, Madrid-Spain or Rio De Janiero-Brazil as they are the 4 finalists for the 2016 games with the winner due to be announced 2nd October, 2009 in Denmark.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 4:13 am  

  • On another note, Rugby 7's would be far more suited to the Olympics than 15's would due to:

    1) Tournament is quicker to run due to the amount of games that can be held over 2-3 days and how many teams that can compete compared to 15s which will take weeks unless it's the amount of teams are reduced.

    2) 7's is much more attractive spectacle to showcase Rugby to the world and alot more easier & simpler to understand compared to the complexities of the 15's game.

    3)7's is far more competitive & balanced compared to 15's as the minnows have a chance to win Gold compared to 15's World Cup (see Samoa, Fiji, etc).

    4) There's more reasons 7's is a better option for the Olympics than 15's but I'd be here typing for awhile.

    4) See reasons 1,2,3 & 4.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 4:33 am  

  • Sorry that last number should've number 5 not 4 :).

    As for the Great Britain debate, not sure why England, Wales, Scotland and Nothern Ireland send 1 team in unless some can explain.

    It is for financial reasons? Lack of a pool of athletes to choose from hence the combining of resoures?

    Why I'm saying this is that U.S. Territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and many others all entered their own teams but politically are territories of the U.S.A. yet all marched under their own flags in the opening ceremony....To me this seems to be in similar situation like the U.K. and might be due to the reasons I put forward above.

    I know this is slightly off topic but does anyone have any thoughts to add particularly looking forward to the 2016 games if Rugby 7's is added?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 4:41 am  

  • 7s is a hundred times more exciting than rowing or archery wouldn't you think, come on I can't believe it's not in the olympics already.

    And if kissball (soccer) can get a slot in then why shouldn't rugby.

    a must have.

    Thanks.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 15, 2008 12:24 pm  

  • as great as sevens is to watch, personally i would much rather see 15 a side footy bein played at the olympics. it would give everyone a chance to see teams not usually seen, the ones that dont make the WC, and the natioins that have the most potential to grow i.e. usa, georgia, the islands, the asian nations, with the usa having the most potential to become a real rugby powerhouse, if they play in a serious compitition other than the world cup.

    sevens would be great too, how good would it be to see fiji win an olympic gold?

    By Blogger sonny dyl williams, at August 16, 2008 1:23 am  

  • Great news...

    "International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge was capped seven times by Belgium after learning the game at university in France".

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 9:05 am  

  • OMG that was such a good video. . .i so want to see sevens in the olympics it'd be incredbile!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 10:43 am  

  • Hey Sonny, I understand where you are coming from but I totally support the IRB's push for 7's as I said earlier, if 15's were to be included, it'll be almost a foregone conclusion that one of the "top-tier" nations would win the medals but with 7's, it's a far more level playing field with Fiji & Samoa amongst others that could seriously win Gold but can you honestly say the same in the 15s game for those Island teams??? My answer is No.

    7's is a great introduction to Rugby Union for newer fans compared to 15's with it's fast pace, simpler form with only 14 players on the field compared to 30 and tryscoring enticing and embracing a whole new audience that would take one look at 15's and be confused particularly by the breakdown laws.

    Also having 2 different 15's Champions being the World and Olympics would undermine and lessen the prestige and role of each competition like Basketball, Athletics, Soccer, etc hence 7's is far more suited to the Olympics plus the current IOC president has gone on record stating 15's rugby is "boring"...Obviously, he hasn't seen a decent game of 7's yet.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 11:49 am  

  • lol young of tomorow! such a funny bit, some one wiv sense of humor

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 8:09 pm  

  • I am a huge rugby fan and a huge Olympics fan too. Nothing annoys me more than seeing people competing for their countries in a sport where the Olympics is not the pinnacle of the sport. I am speaking of Football (soccer), tennis, basketball, baseball and more. If rugby were introduced it would then be another sport where it is in the Olympics just to be there. The Olympics have been diluted enough. We have the World Cup, a great and spectacular event. We dont need the Olympics and other sports in the Olympics dont need us.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 16, 2008 11:59 pm  

  • Sevens sevens sevens sevens sevens sevens sevens sevens sevens in the olympics

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 17, 2008 2:11 pm  

  • upper post is mine

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 17, 2008 2:11 pm  

  • the current ioc president played for the belgian national rugby team so i think he knows what he's talking about.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 17, 2008 8:51 pm  

  • for all the people out there. If ya think rugby is a mainstream sport, then go to the other part of the world that isn't the commonwealth or france, say "rugby" and 99 % of the people there will not know what you're talking about

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 17, 2008 8:59 pm  

  • Having 7's in the olympics will help development of rugby 7's and 15's in countries. So even if alot of people havnt heard of it, doesnt mean it shouldnt be in the olympics. I like the idea od using 7's as a way of increasing support for the main 15's games. Also 7's is gets great crowds and is really fun.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 17, 2008 11:34 pm  

  • Seven rugby is for olympic games!
    you can't play 15man rugby matches in 3 weeks of OG! for the bumps&bruises you can play only 1 match per week...
    And Seven is the solution: fast game, enjoyable by anyone, and it involves a lot of countries that have no quality for 15 man rugby (Kenya, China, Taiwan...)!
    You can't play an OG with 8-10 nations... and as I said before, you hadn't enough time!

    Let's geto 7 Rugby in the Olympics!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 18, 2008 7:05 pm  

  • beatiful!!!

    let´s go

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 20, 2008 1:14 pm  

  • beatiful!!!

    let´s go

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 20, 2008 1:14 pm  

  • music name please please

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 05, 2008 9:38 pm  

  • I think if they were going to put rugby into the olympics, they should split it up into 4 sections:

    Amateur XV- the non-proffessional or semi-pro players from around respective countries

    Proffessional XV- the proper Aussie team, SA team, Japan etc.

    Amateur sevens- non professional or semi pro players from their countries

    Professional Sevens- the proper sevens teams

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at December 01, 2008 6:20 pm  

  • yeah i definitly think rugby should be in the olimpics its i great sport that i play and would love to play it at the olimpics.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at December 06, 2008 6:46 pm  

  • I mean if soccer is allowed in the olympics, why not rugby, its closer to being amateur than soccer, and its much more ewntertaining!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at February 13, 2009 6:53 pm  

  • i'd love to see countries like fiji and samoa standing receiving their medals and hearing the national anthems sang in the olympics...
    and sevens is a fast entertaining game.....
    fit for the olympics.....

    By Blogger Unknown, at March 24, 2009 1:09 am  

  • according to the BBC, rugby sevens will be part of the 2016 olympics

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/8196956.stm

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 13, 2009 9:52 pm  

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