"I want to thank the Olympic Committee for including rugby sevens in the Olympics," Bainimarama said. World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said he was hopeful the IOC would give his sport the green light after its strong showing in Rio. The sport already has a place at the 2020 Games in Tokyo but had to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Rio it would be worthy of inclusion in 2024 and beyond. After a 92-year wait, rugby is on the cusp of making a full-time return to the Olympics, World Rugby chiefs said at the close of the inaugural Rio sevens tournament which has been scrutinised by the gatekeepers of the Games. "Nobody in world rugby ... is conceited enough to think that we've got a divine right to be here, but I do think we have showcased our sport on the world stage," he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 12, 2016 02:03 UTC