Russia Wins Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013

Russia has been awarded the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 is set to attract unprecedented worldwide interest as the global sporting community looks forward to Rugby Sevens' Olympic Games debut in Rio de Janiero in 2016. It will be a competition that will provide an indication of which men's and women's nations might challenge for the ultimate Sevens prize - an Olympic gold medal.

Rugby Union of Russia president Vyacheslav Kopiev said that it was a proud moment for his Union and the growth of the game.

"It is wonderful news to be selected as Host Union for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013," said Kopiev. "We believe the appointment to host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will, on top of Russia's qualification for Rugby World Cup 2011 and the admission of Rugby into the Olympics, ignite the future of Russian Rugby. The Rugby Union of Russia, with the support of our Government, is committed to achieving our vision, that of Russia becoming a major Rugby nation capable of competing on the world stage."

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will be the sixth Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament. The inaugural tournament was held in Scotland in 1993 with events following in Hong Kong (1997), Argentina (2001), Hong Kong (2005) and Dubai (2009).

The decision by the International Olympic Committee to include Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games, beginning in Rio in 2016, has provided an enormous boost to the game and planning is under way by the IRB on the required qualification process for international teams.

This forms part of a major overhaul of the existing IRB Sevens Strategic Plan, a collaborative process with all Unions that will outline the blueprint for the further growth of the game around the world in recognition of this significant development.

The Strategic Plan will allow the game to grow in new markets and ensure that all 117 IRB Member Unions can collaborate with their respective National Olympic Committees and have access to a structured development, tournament and qualifying pathway that optimises the effects of inclusion in the Olympic Programme.

The Rugby Union of Russia was one of eight nations to express a formal interest to host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013. Russia had also previously bid to host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009.

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