TV appeal gives rugby an Olympic edge, says Greening

FORMER England skipper Phil Greening has called on the International Olympic Committee to take notice after the International Rugby Board announced record-breaking broadcast figures from the recent Sevens World Cup.

OLYMPIC DREAMS: Phil Greening - pictured competing for England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester - believes rugby's global appeal could influence the IOC as they consider new sports for 2016 (Getty Images)

The tournament in Dubai, which was the first to incorporate a 16-team women's event running alongside the men's competition, was broadcast to 760 million people in 141 countries through 29 international broadcasters in 19 languages.

And Greening, who skippered England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, is convinced the IOC should give rugby sevens the nod for the 2016 Olympic Games.

The next key date will be August 13 in Berlin, where the IOC's executive board, which is comprised of president Jacques Rogge, a former Belgian rugby international, four vice-presidents and 10 IOC members, will meet to discuss the options.

"I would love to see Sevens at the Olympics," said Greening. "It has been trialed at the Commonwealth Games and was a huge success.

"The greatest thing about the sport is that it crosses all the boundaries and really brings everyone together.

"Teams like Kenya and Portugal have shown that they can be just as competitive as the more established nations if not better - so it won't be dominated by the best teams in the world.

"The women's side of the game has also really blossomed - so for me it has everything to part of the Olympics - it is a complete package.

"The Olympics are the pinnacle of so many sportsmen and women's careers so why can't rugby be in there as well.

"There have been a lot of discussions about which sports should be involved and which shouldn't and I think rugby is much more suited to what the Olympics are about than other sports like softball."

The Rugby Sevens success story is best illustrated by the IRB Sevens World Series, the popular grand prix style championship comprising eight international events, which this year is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

England has also used the shorter form of the game to groom a succession of Test match internationals, including stars such as Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson, James Haskell, Mathew Tait and David Strettle.

Greening revealed his experiences at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester are amongst the proudest and most enjoyable moments of his long and illustrious career at both international and club level.

And Greening has called on the IOC to finally hand rugby's next generation of young stars the chance to strut their stuff at an Olympic Games.

"The Commonwealth Games was a fantastic experience," added Greening. "I first got into the sevens side of rugby more for fitness than anything else and that made it daunting for me.

"I didn't know what to expect but once I got out in Hong Kong I never really looked back.

"I was so nervous, especially at the Commonwealth Games - I don't know why. There were a lot of people watching and I think the nature of the game meant that one little mistake was picked up on.

"The Commonwealths was a totally different experience to anything else I had ever done. It was surreal walking around the athlete's village - seeing guys like Dwain Chambers and Darren Campbell.

"That was a special occasion, truly memorable and to captain the side made the experience all the better.

"I'd love to see rugby included in the 2016 Olympic Games and I just hope those in the decision-making positions go with the right sport."

DANIEL SCHOFIELD