RIO DE JANEIRO ¨C World rugby chiefs have declared the sport¡¯s reintroduction to the Olympics a success after fans at Deodoro Stadium made Thursday¡¯s final day of the Rio 2016 competition a noisy and colorful affair.
Rugby returned to the Olympics this week in its shortened sevens format after a 92-year absence, with the game¡¯s governing body hoping to introduce the sport to a wider global audience and tap into new markets.
Patchy crowds, strong winds and a tournament-ending injury to star attraction Sonny Bill Williams in New Zealand¡¯s opening game threatened to spoil the party, but World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper believes the positives have outweighed the negatives and hopes to capitalize on this week¡¯s gains.
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