Research has revealed that the "hugely successful" Rugby Sevens tournaments at the Rio Olympic Games brought millions of new fans to the sport both in traditional rugby countries and "new markets," according to Mitch Phillips of REUTERS. Rugby's return to the Games after a 92-year absence "could not have gone better for those promoting the sport." Research carried out for World Rugby claimed that in six surveyed markets -- France, Japan, the U.K., Australia, Germany and the U.S. -- "fan numbers have grown by almost 17 million as a direct result of Olympic inclusion." Support was "particularly marked among women" and the 18-24 age group, with the sport's fan base now considered by World Rugby to number more than 300 million. With the World Cup heading to Asia for the first time when Japan hosts the event in '19, "those figures are expected to continue to grow considerably." World Rugby Chair Bill Beaumont said, "Sevens at the Olympic Games was incredibly successful at reaching and converting new audiences. The high-octane and competitive Olympic tournament won the hearts and minds of fans around the world and provides us with an incredible base to build on" (REUTERS, 11/14).
