The invaluable prize of the Olympic Games was lost The IRB failed in its stated objective to attain Olympic status for Rugby Sevens by 2012. Olympic inclusion would unlock investment from governments which, in many countries, will only invest in Olympic sports. It would also elevate rugby to a truly global audience.
Despite this critical strategic importance, rugby finished behind karate and squash in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voting process, and roller skating gained more votes than rugby in the first round of voting.
Rugby appears to have been surprised by this result, with the IRB observing that the values of rugby sit well with the Olympic motto of faster, higher, stronger and that it is a commercially attractive sport.
Some Olympic observers, however, were far from surprised. The IRBs application failed because of rugbys relatively narrow geographic spread and its complete imbalance between male and female versions of the sport.
The IRB has recently appointed an advisor to improve the presentation of its case to the IOC but has it grasped the development achievements and strategies that it will need to convince the IOC?
