Following consultation with Member Unions and major stakeholders, the IRB have decided to integrate the Sevens World Cup into the Olympic Games cycle.
Tank Lanning
Not entirely sure of it’s place on the rugby calendar given that we basically get to see one every weekend of the Sevens circuit, I was pleased to see the IRB announce their plan to alternate the Sevens World Cup with the Olympics.
The IRB went on to say that the decision to integrate the event within the middle of the Olympic cycle will provide a key high performance pathway for teams around the world, ensuring optimum competitiveness at the Olympic Games.
With 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams competing at the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, RWC Sevens 2013 currently includes 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams, thus providing vital world-class competition for a greater number of players.
RWC Sevens also provides opportunities to more cities to host a major international Rugby event, showcasing the Game to a global audience and driving interest and participation.
In order for the quadrennial tournament to be integrated into the Olympic cycle in the most effective manner, the next event following RWC Sevens 2013 in Moscow will take place in 2018.
This will ensure an Olympic Games or RWC Sevens will take place every two years and allow RWC Sevens to be used as a key springboard for our Unions towards the Games.
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Moscow 2013 is a reflection of the truly global reach of our sport and the event is on track to be a wonderful success. With unprecedented interest in hosting Rugby Sevens events, spurred on by inclusion in the Olympic Games, I am sure we can anticipate a keenly contested tender process for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018.”
From June 28-30, the 2013 edition of the event takes place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
