Sevens World Cup will be huge for Rio - IRB
Where the teams finish will determine the funding they get from their National Olympic Committees to go through to Rio, said IRB tournaments manager Beth Coalter of the sixth edition of the sevens World Cup that will be played in Moscow from June 28-30. They do need to make sure that they're up there, that they're world class and competitive.
WELLINGTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The rugby sevens World Cup in June will be one of the most important indicators for the success of the sport's debut at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, the International Rugby Board's tournament manager has said.
“Moscow is going to be very interesting,” IRB tournaments manager Beth Coalter told Reuters at Wellington Regional Stadium, where the fourth round of the men's sevens world series was being played.
“Where the teams finish will determine the funding they get from their National Olympic Committees to go through to Rio,” she added of the sixth edition of the sevens World Cup that will be played in Moscow from June 28-30.
“They do need to make sure that they're up there, that they're world class and competitive. And a medal chance.” Rugby was last played at the Paris Games in 1924 in the full 15-aside form, but the shortened form has been included for the 2016 Rio Games because it was deemed an attractive option for the IOC due to its speed, youth appeal and the number of countries competing around the world.
“We need to build on the best teams that will compete in 2016. That's the goal,” Coalter added.
“We need to make sure that when we get there we have built the best, most competitive, entertaining, exciting competition going. “We have only got two (Olympic cycles) 2016, 2020 to show how brilliant this sport is so we need to make sure we have the best teams around.” The IRB implemented a women's sevens series, with the second tournament in Houston this weekend, to ensure that the women's game would also develop in time for the Rio Games.