Bernard Lapasset, the chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB), has predcited that the return of rugby to the Olympics at Rio 2016 will provide a huge boost to both the sport and to the entire Games.

Rio 2016 will see rugby appear at the Games for the first time since the Paris 1924 Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to re-admit the sport to its programme at a Session in Copenhagen in 2009.

Lapasset was in London to observe the 2012 Olympic Games and admitted it has made him even more excited ahead of the long-awaited return of rugby to the Olympics.

"Three years ago, the IOC placed their faith in us by voting to include rugby sevens in the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympic Games programme," said the 64-year-old from France.

"There is no doubt that the decision has been the most significant event in the history of rugby sevens' development and growth since the short form of the game was created in 1883.

"We wanted to be in the Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games because we believed it would be good for rugby and good for the Olympics.

"For the IRB, the opportunity is much more than simply having our sport represented on the sport's greatest stage.

"It is in fact the key that has unlocked the door to participation in emerging and new rugby markets.

"Rugby is now in schools in Russia, China, India, Brazil and Mexico because its growth has been accelerated by the Olympics."

Lapasset also highlighted women's rugby as an area that has received significant development due to the Olympic inclusion.

"Inclusion has bolstered the women's game and there are now over a million women playing globally with more funding and facilities available thanks to partnerships with their National Olympic Committees," he said.

"We will shortly be announcing details of the IRB Women's Sevens World Series which underscores our commitment to ensure that our female athletes have the same opportunity to compete as the men in a regular annual global sevens event in preparation for Rio.

"So we are excited and proud of our opportunity at the Olympics and we are completely committed to delivering a world-class event, to engaging the Olympic Family and to ensuring rugby sevens makes a memorable Olympic debut in four years' time."

By Tom Degun in London

Source: www.indsidethegames.biz