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London 2017
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No 15-Man Olympic Rugby, Says Rogge
IOC president Jacques Rogge says the Olympics will probably never include a full 15-man rugby match.
"We can't ask a (15-a-side) team to play four or five games in 16 days," he said Friday at a news conference in Auckland, where he is scheduled to attend Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and France.
"That is just not feasible."
Matches with the traditional 15 players are physically demanding with athletes needing time, usually a week, in between games to recuperate.
Seven-a-side rugby – which has shorter games and is less physically demanding – will be included at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Rogge says that rugby's top stars could eventually join the Olympics through these matches.
"I am quite sure that with the evolution we see with Sevens that players will be tempted to go to the Olympic Games," he said.
"Again, it may not be that easy, because the transition is not that easy to do – it requires some different skills."
Rugby World Cup Generates Millions
New research indicates the final weekend of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand could generate $62.8 million for Auckland’s economy.
According to a study by MasterCard Worldwide on the economic impact of the tournament, the total regional gross domestic product impact could be $54.2 million.
The research analyzes the economic impact of international fans spending money at bars, restaurants, hotels and shops in Auckland.
"The climax of Rugby World Cup 2011 will be a revenue spinner for anumber of reasons: scheduling the Bronze Final playoff on Friday night, with the Final on Sunday evening is likely to bring in a surge of fans from outside Auckland," said Simon Chadwick, director of Centre for the International Business of Sport, who conducted the research.
The winning country can also expect to earn between $35 and 50 million.
Ski Season Starts
The International Ski Federation’s world cup season kick offs this weekendin Austria.
The opening event will be held on the Sölden’s Rettenbach glacier in Austria.
Markus Mayr, the FIS race director in charge of the women's technical events, says the course is ready and waiting for the world’s top skiers.
"The course is in probably the best condition it has ever been at this time of the year. We are very pleased with the preparation work by the organizers," he said in a FIS statement.
"It’s looking excellent for the season opening giant slalom competitions."
The weekend will feature other events besides races, including a press conference with FIS president Gian Franco Kasper as well as defending overall world cup champions Maria Höfl-Riesch and Ivica Kostelic.
Homepage photo from Getty Images.
Written by AnnCantrell.
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