The world’s top match officials have thrown their weight behind Rugby Sevens' campaign for Olympic Games inclusion.
Referees including Jonathan Kaplan of South Africa, Alain Rolland of Ireland and Taizo Hirabayashi of Japan, have all joined the Game's biggest names in supporting the International Rugby Board's (IRB) Olympic campaign.
"It would certainly be the highlight of our careers," said Hirabayashi, Japan's leading match official and regular on the IRB Sevens World Series.
"Just as the players view the Olympic Games as the pinnacle of sporting achievement, the same can be said of the match officials. As a young sportsman, the Olympic Games inspired me, gave me a dream of what is possible to achieve in sport."
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Kaplan, the world's most experienced Test referee, added: "We all want to be at the Olympic Games and we would be proud to be a part of the world's greatest sporting event."
Rugby Sevens, with its fast-paced and spectator-friendly action, continues to appeal to new fans around the world and Hirabayashi believes that Olympic Games inclusion would unlock the door to accelerated growth in emerging Rugby markets such as Asia.
"Aside from providing the likes of Japan, Korea and Kazakhstan with medal opportunities, the Olympic Games has the ability to inspire new Rugby audiences, inspiring young men, women and children to get up and take part," he said.
Rolland, who took charge of the Rugby World Cup final in 2007, added: "Rugby embodies the Olympic values of fair play, respect and camaraderie, something that we, as referees, are proud of and believe makes the Game so special."
All of the world's top Referees have officiated at international Sevens tournaments, a sport that demands peak fitness levels, and all believe that the atmosphere is something special.
"There is no doubt that Sevens tournaments are unique, special," said Kaplan. "The atmosphere of all the nations coming together to party and support all of the teams, regardless of nationality, is like nothing I have experienced. It gives the players a lift and is special for match officials too."
