Gordon McKie believes the move will boost Rugby Sevens' profile

Scottish Rugby has hailed the decision to include the sevens version of the sport in the 2016 Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee's executive board voted to include sevens two months ago and the full membership confirmed the move on Friday.

"Scottish Rugby believes that rugby will be given a massive global boost as a consequence of this decision," said chief executive Gordon McKie.

Scotland Sevens coach Stephen Gemmell also welcomed the move.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said the decision to vote on rugby sevens and golf for the 2016 Games in Rio would prove "a wise" one.

Both sports were part of the Games programme in the early part of the 20th Century before being dropped.

And McKie said it was fitting that sevens was returning to the Olympic fold.

"As the country that bequeathed 7-a-side rugby to the world - the masterstroke of Melrose butcher Ned Haig - Scottish Rugby is naturally delighted to hear of today's decision by the IOC to welcome rugby anew to the Olympic family," he said.

Gemmell, currently with his squad in Delhi as part of preparations for next year's Commonwealth Games, added: "It's great news for the sport globally. Over the last 10 years, sevens has grown and we have seen the emergence of countries like Kenya, who can now beat any team in the world.

"From a coaching and playing point of view, this will be the pinnacle for everyone involved in the game and we will aim to give Scottish players the best possible chance of experiencing the Olympic Games in a GB team."

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