Rugby's Olympic push continues to grow

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Rugby's possible inclusion in future Olympic Games is expected to be decided on in October 2009.

International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset, in Argentina to help promote ongoing rugby reform in the South American nation, expressed confidence that Sevens Rugby could be a possible future Olympic sport.

He said: "In October 2009, a decision will be taken on whether rugby will be an Olympic sport or not."

Lapasset has continued the work of former IRB boss Syd Millar in trying to gain rugby official Olympic inclusion.

Lapasset's vision would be for Sevens to be one of the major opening sporting events on the Olympic calendar, guaranteeing a full Olympic Stadium for the first two days of a future Games.

He has previously spoken of how rugby symbolises many of the Olympics' ethos.

And he has the backing of some of world rugby's most iconic players, including John Eales, Lawrence Dallaglion and Agustin Pichot.

Dallaglio said: "It allows some of the other countries an opportunity to express themselves and certainly from a spectator point of view it would be wonderful."

Added Pichot: "For me playing in the Olympic Games would be the highest achievement as a rugby player."