Rugby's top brass believe the World Cup Sevens provided the best possible showcase for the sport's bid for inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Two delegates from the International Olympic Committee were in Dubai to watch Wales produce a major upset to be crowned champions, while Australia won the first ever women's World Cup.
Rugby Sevens is competing with baseball, softball, golf, squash, karate and roller-sports for two available spaces in the 2016 Olympics.
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset said: ‘This was a tremendous tournament this year for the men and women playing at the same time.
‘It was a massive event that we have created in Dubai. I think it's a new step for the Sevens, a very important moment for the Sevens.
‘We also had some delegates from the IOC here for this tournament and I am sure they were appreciative of what we have done.
‘It was a very exciting event, a big crowd for the three days and the quality of the play. The men and women have put on a great event for rugby in the world.’
It is understood the Olympic delegates were impressed by the colour and diversity of the two tournaments which featured teams from as far afield as Brazil, Uganda, Tunisia and the Arabian Gulf as well as the more established rugby nations.
The semi-final spread came from four different continents after a series of upsets saw Wales beat Sevens heavyweights New Zealand and England crash out to Samoa, while Kenya beat defending champions Fiji and Argentina downed South Africa.
Kit McConnell, head of Rugby World Cup, said: ‘I think those upsets just underlines how competitive Sevens is generally.
‘In terms of the Olympics it shows how many regions and countries around the world are now competitive at the top level. I think it only underlines how much rugby has grown and continues to grow.
'It was an outstanding day. We had two worthy champions, but over the three days of Sevens we've just seen so much spectacular action on the field in both the men's and women's competitions.
‘After all the hard work over the last couple of years we're just pleased with what was really an outstanding final day here.’
For the first time, the World Cup Sevens included a women's tournament.
England had been strong favourites for the title after winning their last seven tournaments but they were also knocked out at the quarter-final stage and had to settle for winning the plate competition.
England's conquerors Australia went on to win the tournament, beating Tasman rivals New Zealand in the final.
McConnell added: ‘It's been a fantastic showcase for the Women's Game. In terms of the Olympic inclusion we've worked very hard on promoting Sevens and women's Sevens in particular with the IOC members.
‘We had them here this weekend and they were really extremely impressed with what they saw off the field but especially on it with both the men and the women.’
