IOC President wants to see rugby in the Olympic program

President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge admitted that he loves rugby very much, but this fact will not help in any way to introduce this sport into the program of the Summer Games, reports Sport -Express .

Rogge competed in sailing at three Olympics, but also played for the Belgian rugby team.

Sailing has never brought me as much pleasure as rugby,” Rogge said. - And my love for this game is still strong. “I don’t take part in voting on the inclusion of this or that event in the Olympic program.”

At the 2012 Games in London, 26 sports will be represented (in comparison with Beijing 2008, baseball and softball were excluded from the program), but in 2016 this list should again be expanded by no more than two points. Among the contenders are rugby sevens (the classic version - with 15 players - is not suitable for the Olympics, since the tournament will not fit into the short time frame for the Games), golf, karate, roller sports, squash, baseball and softball.