REGULATION 8 EXPLANATORY GUIDELINES Explanatory Guidelines on the Implementation of Regulation 8 – Olympic Eligibility With the re-introduction of Rugby Sevens into the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 there are certain rules which participants must adhere to for eligibility purposes. The Olympic Eligibility Regulations (8.6 to 8.16) have been introduced to accommodate the Olympic Charter Rules. To assist in the implementation of these Regulations, the following Guidelines have been developed to address the specifics around Olympic Sevens eligibility which differs from that of World Rugby eligibility requirements in that it is based solely upon a nationality consideration alone. The two sets of rules have been combined to achieve harmony between the objectives and underlying philosophy of Regulation 8 and the requirements of the Olympic Charter in the context of participation in Olympic Events. These Explanatory Guidelines must be read in conjunction with the terms of Regulation 8 and the Guidelines thereto. 1. Who is eligible to play Olympic Sevens? Any Player who meets the eligibility criteria in 8.1 and holds the nationality of the Union / country they wish to represent in the Olympic Games or Olympic Qualification process (known as the “Olympic Events”). The eligibility rules in the Olympic Charter together with the World Rugby eligibility rules must be complied with by Players who participate in Olympic Events. 2. Must a Player have the passport of the Union / country he represents in Olympic Sevens? The nationality of the Union / country the Player wishes to represent in Olympic Sevens is a requirement under the Olympic Charter and is therefore necessary for participation in Olympic Events. Nationality is ordinarily demonstrated by the Player holding the passport of the Union / county they wish to represent. All matters relating to the determination of the country which a Player may represent in the Olympic Games shall ultimately be resolved by the IOC Executive Board. 3. Who will decide on Olympic Sevens eligibility? Ordinarily, the assessment of whether a Player satisfies the eligibility criteria in Regulation 8.1 and 8.6 will be straightforward. However, in all cases where a Player who has been captured under Regulation 8.2 and who holds the nationality of another Union / country and wishes to participate in an Olympic Event(s) for the Union / country of which he is a national, the Player may apply to World Rugby to represent the National Representative Sevens Team of that Union (or the Olympic Sevens Team of an National Olympic Committee), and the case shall be determined in the first place by the World Rugby Regulations Committee. In the event there are other cases of uncertainty or there is the need for clarification a referral may be made to the World Rugby Regulations Committee. Last update: 14 January, 2015 147
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