The Wales men’s team won the Rugby World Cup Sevens title in Dubai earlier this year and for the WRU, a combined Great Britain Sevens side would be an extension of a long Rugby tradition – the British & Irish Lions.
Welsh Rugby Union Chairman, David Pickering, said: “We would be delighted to be part of a GB Sevens team competing at the 2016 Olympic Games.
“In Rugby we are already familiar with the concept of a GB team through the British & Irish Lions so transferring that to Sevens would be an easy fit.
“There is growing momentum behind the idea of Rugby Sevens being part of the Olympic Games and I am certain that a GB team would instantly prove a great success and attract an important following.”
Pickering, who follows Wales star Shane Williams in pledging his full support of the Sevens campaign, also believes that a Rugby Sevens tournament would positively contribute to the Olympic Games, while offering Rugby the opportunity to continue its development in more and more nations around the world.
“Rugby Sevens is an extremely exciting and broadcast friendly sport that is exhilarating for both spectators and television audiences. Sevens has a young following and a massive travelling fan base which would deliver a vibrant and passionate atmosphere during the Games.
“The inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games would also offer medal potential for smaller nations – many of whom have been increasingly successful in the IRB World Sevens Series – bringing a new Olympic dream alive for many of them,” he said.
