Rogge will not let his love for rugby influence his decision

JACQUES Rogge insists his rugby history will not influence the IOC's decision as to which two sports will be added to the Olympic schedule.

NO FAVOURS: IOC president Jacques Rogge insists his rugby past will not influence the decision (Getty Images)

Rugby sevens, along with golf, karate, roller sports, squash, baseball and softball are all lobbying to be added to program for the 2016 Olympics, when the schedule will be expanded form 26 to 28.

IOC president Rogge, represented Belgium at three Olympic Games between 1968-72 at sailing, but was also an open-side flanker for his country.

But Rogge remains adamant it is the sports that demonstrate their universality and their ability to add value to the Olympics that will get the nod, when the IOC makes a decision in August.

"Ultimately, the sports that will be chosen must fit into the Olympic program," he said.

"My love for rugby is very much intact - I never found the joy in sailing that I did in rugby and I have a lot of sympathy for rugby's cause - but I do not vote.

"Rugby is a great sport but the problem with 15-a-side rugby is that there is no way that you can fit a full tournament into the two weeks of the Olympic Games.

"You cannot play rugby every second or third day because of the time it takes to recover.

"There is also a big gap between the strong nations and the rest of the pack which is not the case with sevens."

The seven sports will continue to make their case at the Oceania National Olympic Committee General Assembly, which begins on Tuesday in Queenstown, New Zealand.