Why rugby is not an olympic sport?

Question

Why rugby isn't in Olympic Games Program??

Answer 1

rugby has been on the Olympic program on four occasions -- in Paris in 1900, London in 1908, Antwerp in 1920 and Paris in 1924, with the US being the reigning Olympic Champions.



At the Amsterdam games in 1928 the International Olympic Committee turned down a request to include rugby. The reasons thought to be behind the decision were that the IOC sought more emphasis on individual sports; that women's events had increased the number of competitors; and that the sport didn't receive the backing expected from the British entries.



In 1980 the Soviet Union, and in 1988 South Korea, attempted to have rugby reinstated as an Olympic sport, with the 1988 attempt nearly achieving success.



While it would be logistically difficult to hold a full fifteen-a-side rugby competition in conjunction with the Olympics, the popularity of Sevens rugby at the Commonwealth Games has been such that a Sevens competition at the Olympics would surely be a worthwhile addition to the program.

Answer 2

Is Rugby An Olympic Sport

Answer 3

Rugby 7's can only get accepted into the olypmics at the exspense of another sport/event, thats why it hasnt been made an olympic sport so far, plus to make it a new sport, it has to be played by alot of countries, have a big fan base, be viable to play during the 14 week period, and also to be fair and competitve. 7's does meet some of these requirements but falls short on others, other sports that we here in NZ think are a waste of time are actually huge overseas, the world is bigger than rugby people! But at the same time 7's is in very high contention to be included eventually but it is not guaranteed

Answer 4

Rugby has historically only been popular among the 4 nations of Great Britain, the old British Commonwealth (notably Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and a few others (notably France and Italy) For this reason rugby does not generate the global appeal of other sports. Britain would find it hard to enter a team (same reason as football in the Olympics) and so a major player would already be missing. This is why rugby sevens is included at the Commonwealth games. There was an attempt to include rugby sevens for London 2012 - spots for two new sports existed following the dropping of handball and softball - but the delegates voted in Squash and Karate as the new sports.

Answer 5

it used to be, back in the 1920's it was played as an Olympic sport. I'm not sure why it was dropped



it would be a good sport to have back in the Olympics, especially Rugby 7's



and to those who think not enough countries play it ... well if we can have a Rugby world Cup, there are enough teams for the Olympics, also there are 98 countries registered with the International Rugby Board ... i think that's just about enough to claim that it's popular enough

Answer 6

That's a good point, cos Rugby is a good game to watch whereas the most boring spectator sports ever invented such as rowing and archery are olympic sports and get put on telly.



Maybe paint drying should become an olympic sport. Which country can paint a wall and get it to dry the quickest. It'd be more exciting.

Answer 7

Not sure - maybe not enough countries play it? They do add and drop sports depending on popularity - rugby can be submmitted to be an Olympic event, but the approval process takes time.

Answer 8

taking time size of teams and injuries into consideration it is just not viable to have a full 15 aside team fit and ready for each game and players would need alot more time to recover than is normally possible in an olympic event.



They (the IRB) have put through a proposal to have a 7 aside compettion put in place however when put through the voting process was declined this time around, the IOC have also stated that they will look at all proposals again only when another event is disposed of.



emma: im guessing your american?

Answer 9

Because Rugby is a real Sport and the Olympic's is a joke!

Answer 10

only about 6 countries play it, and Great Britain includes 4 of them!