Friday 2nd October 2009. The biggest day in rugby union's history since the game turned professional? According to Mike Miller, chief executive of the International Rugby Board. "The IOC decision could be the launch pad which transforms rugby into a truly global sport." Now that rugby has gotten onto the Olympic programme. The world of Rugby will never be the same again. In fact I will make bold to say that Rugby 7s will now present similar dilemmas to those which the cricket world now confronts with twenty20. Like many around the rugby world I harboured the dream of seeing rugby at an Olympic Games. For years to numerous to quantify it seemed a fantasy. Rugby, at times, its own worst enemy. The rejection by the IOC in 2005 proved bitter but it did not deter. One part of the dream is real.
The potential is certainly hard to ignore. Rugby has spent years trying to penetrate the huge markets of China, India, Russia and the Americas and now has the tool. The established nations are not unbeatable at sevens, with Fiji, Argentina and Kenya proving highly competitive in the shortened form of the game. Women's sevens have also made significant strides, with Brazil increasingly prominent.
One thing I have learned over the years; is that dream busters exist everywhere and that they are a relentless bunch. But the key to overcoming the doubters is to never doubt or question–just keep dreaming. The doubters will give many reasons why a dream is not practical or realistic. The same day that rugby 7s and golf got the IOC nod. US president Barack Obama won the Nobel Prize for Peace.
The announcement surprised many and gave ammunition to the Obama haters and sceptics. That aside, it once again showed that Obama is an idea whose time has come. The reasons given by the Nobel Committee for his election is instructive. It may not make sense to pundits and intellectuals but it is instructive. Obama's Nobel peace prize more than made up for the IOC slap down. It certainly put things into perspective for the IOC members. What I do appreciate is the power of a vision and a dream.Cerainly at some time in his life. Barack Obama had a dream far bigger than his circumstances, upbringing and his colour. You may not agree with the Nobel Committee or the IOC but truth be told there is always something bigger and more purposeful at play. Destiny maybe? As I write this week's column I am in Delhi, India.
The venues inspection for the Commonwealth Games, at this time, does not present a comforting picture. With many of the venues no more than half way complete. It is easy to be a negative dream buster.
The determination of the India Commonwealth Games Association and Government to live their dream is such that they bode no nay saying.
As I wend my way back to my favourite place on earth. I am motivated by some of the timely reminders and lessons from the past two weeks.
Dreams do come through but most importantly is the point repeated time and again that perseverance is probably the most vital attribute. You may rightly ask what about golf. I am happy for golf but to this day I have never gotten the impression that Olympic status really matters. It has strategic importance and commercial benefits. But golf has never pursued a place on the Olympic programme with rigor as have rugby, karate, squash and softball.
Nothing I heard in Denmark served to change that impression. Having said that it would be interesting to see how the international and local golfing fraternity respond to Olympic status. There are some perspectives noted here in India and last week in Denmark. In some aspects both countries along with Brazil present parallels to T&T.
I would wish to address some of these in the coming weeks as there is relevance for T&T's vision twenty20 Brazil, India and Denmark all have national dreams and aspirations that have one thing in common; End the importance of sport.
Editor's note:
Brian Lewis is the Secretary General of the Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee (T&TOC) and his views are not those of the
organisation.
