With 50 days to go until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset is predicting very special rugby sevens events that will reach and inspire new audiences worldwide.
Planning and preparation at the Deodoro Stadium is on track to deliver a vibrant and fitting stage for the world's top men's and women's rugby teams to compete for the sport's first Olympic Games medals in 92 years.
Qualifying is also nearing its conclusion with 16 teams competing in Monaco this weekend for the final place in the 12-team men's Olympic Games rugby sevens event, which kicks off on 9 August.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THE MEN'S REPECHAGE >>
The final team to join the 12-team women's event, which begins on 6 August, will be determined in Dublin on 25-26 June.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THE WOMEN'S REPECHAGE >>
Lapasset said: "With 50 days to go, we are confident of very exciting, very special and very successful rugby sevens events that will project our sport to new audiences worldwide and inspire new fans to get in to rugby.
"We are already seeing the game-changing positive effects of Olympic inclusion, which has paved the way for investment, profile and participation growth and we look forward to showcasing the best of our sport and its character-building values to Olympic Games audiences in August.
"With its blend of star players, exciting, competitive action and fan-centred carnival atmosphere, rugby sevens is set to rock Rio and I would encourage anyone who is yet to experience the sport to get online, get a ticket and get over to the Deodoro Stadium."
With excitement and anticipation growing, fans from around the world have joined rugby's soon-to-be-Olympians and World Rugby in celebrating rugby's OIympic Games return through a social media campaign under the #Rugby7s and #AreYouReady? hashtags.
Tickets for the rugby sevens events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games can be purchased here.
For more information, please contact:
DOMINIC RUMBLES
Head of Communications, World Rugby
T: +353-86-8520-826
E: dominic.rumbles@worldrugby.org
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