Rugby sevens and Olympic gong chasing.

Apparently the women's game (although itself under-developed) is diverting resources into the sevens game (well that's what they said on the telly red button).

I wonder if:

a. Rugby nations really see sevens as a way of spreading the game worldwide - or will it just provide yet another outlet for the non-specialist fan to suck up a taste of a once in four year taster of off the wall sports freakishness.

b. You have been inspired to watch (or even play or encourage your kid to play) water polo, curling, modern pentathlon, synchronised swimming, dressage etc. off the back of seeing it on the telly?

Volleyball Handball Tai Kwando Ping pong Ski jumping Field hockey Ice dancing blah de blah de blah.

I think having 7s in the Olympics could help the game's profile in the USA and Russia (I suspect China and India may go into the too-hard basket). If there's medals involved cash will get thrown about.

Making a leap from 7s up to 15s is another story - Kenya managed to build a decent 7s team for a while, but if Namibia can qualify for the RWC ahead of them ...

That said, you can be plenty of European club scouts will be watching the Olympic 7s.

The USA are the reigning olympic rugby champions in two different forms of the game. Tells you everything you need to know.

How many other short-form sports are represented at the Olympics?

Rugby sevens would be a taster of a taster of the sport.

Quite possibly like with cricket and its Test v 20Twenty format, sevens could become dominant.

Hands up those who'd prefer that.

Portnoy wrote:How many other short-form sports are represented at the Olympics.

Well, erm, England are the reigning dwarf throwing champions...?

Thanks mitey. That was an enlightened comment. Who lays claim to the on-road golf buggy wrong-lane title?

That'd be t'other side of t'Usk.

For the uniniiated Sevens is an ideal way for young players to learn and hone basic Skills.
Look at the All Blacks,and there Sevens successes unbeaten in commonwealth Games,most 7`sSeries too.

emack2 wrote:For the uniniiated Sevens is an ideal way for young players to learn and hone basic Skills.
Look at the All Blacks,and there Sevens successes unbeaten in commonwealth Games,most 7`sSeries too.

For the uninitiated volleyball, badminton and downhill skiing would be inspirational to any kid.

The All Blacks is not a very good example of reverse engineering the game.

You should have started with the PIs - much good that has done them.

Is there another short-form Olympic sport? (q. again)

emack2 wrote:For the uniniiated Sevens is an ideal way for young players to learn and hone basic Skills.
Look at the All Blacks,and there Sevens successes unbeaten in commonwealth Games,most 7`sSeries too.

I think we did alright before 7's became popular so not sure how relevant it is.

You don`t think so?then why do the AllBlacks sometimes send backs to the 7`s side to sharpen up?
Rugby Union is only just been re- introduced to the Olympics as 7`s the Nz side want a gold Medal.
As to the PI`s sides not being relevant,at full strength Samoa are near 6Ns strength now.
Fiji had a great run in the 2007RWC,Tonga turned over France in 2011RWC,given more games they will get better.

Portnoy wrote:

Is there another short-form Olympic sport? (q. again)

Olympic Downhill skiing used to be done on much easier and safer runs than world cup skiing.

Apparently out of fear of injuring Jamaican, Ethiopian, British* skiers etc, who'd only seen snow a week before. Then a decade back or so they introduced qualification standards.

*OK - slight exaggeration on that.

I quite enjoy watching most Olympic sports that I wouldnt normally watch at non Olympic events, weightlifting, swimming and track sports being the stand outs.

So there is a place for 7s I think for the casual viewer.

Yeah i think 7's is a great game to watch...and IS an ideal way introducing more countries to the sport...you just need to look at the nations playing 7's to see that.

However...andits a big one...it doesnt mean that, those nations will automatically be seeing the improvments in the 15 game.

Kenya is a good example...blazing a trail in 7's...but still some way to go in the 15's - a work in progress...