With the inclusion of 7’s rugby in the 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow and the Rio Olympics of 2016, Talking Rugby Union are proud to announce a feature series focussing on a number of developing countries that would be featuring in the competitions.
Back in August 2009 it was announced by the IOC that they had recommended rugby sevens to be a part of the 2016 Olympic Games and later that year in October, it was confirmed by the full IOC at its 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen that the short form of Rugby Union would be included in the 2016 games.
The games will include separate competitions for both men and women, which will operate a similar format that is used in the existing IRB Sevens World Series.
Originally it was proposed that both competitions would include only twelve teams; however, after complaints that more teams should be included, former IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller voiced in a statement that “we followed the guidance of the Executive Members of the IOC, but if the IOC feels we should have more teams, we will add more”.
The 2016 games will not be the first run-out for Rugby Union in the Summer Olympics, however, as the sport was included in four of the first seven modern games.
Originally in France in 1900 Rugby Union was introduced by Pierre De Coubertin who is famous for reviving the modern Olympics. The tournament was won by the host nation, France, against a team from England and Germany.
The English and German sides were not National sides in the present sense, as they were represented by Moseley Wanderers RFC and the Frankfurt Club, respectively. Furthermore, the inaugural competition boasts the inclusion of Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera in the French side – the first known coloured athlete to compete in the Olympic Games.
With the inclusion of rugby sevens in both the Commonwealth Games and Olympics now fast approaching, Talking Rugby Union wanted to enlighten rugby fans to the progress of developing rugby nations, who are little known on the current rugby circuit.
The first nation we are focusing on is India. A Country widely noted for their passionate and sometimes obsessive love of sport; however, this is always associated with cricket in the country.
Through the help of Nasser Hussain, the General Manager of Rugby India, Talking Rugby Union are going to shed light on the country’s current progress.
Nasser will be providing articles to the website about the country’s current rugby setup, whether at an international, sevens, juniors or grassroots level.
Watch this space…
