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October 18, 2009 - 12:57PM
The United States leg of the International Rugby Board's world sevens circuit will be moved next year from San Diego to Las Vegas, IRB chief executive Mike Miller said on Sunday.
San Diego has hosted the tournament for the last five years but Miller said next year's tournament, on February 13 and 14, would be the first played in Las Vegas under a new multi-year agreement.
"Sevens is great sport but also a great party and Vegas is obviously a great party town, so I see the two complimenting each other perfectly," Miller said in a statement.
Miller said rugby sevens' admission to the Olympic Games from 2016 might give the sport new prominence in the United States.
"It gives rugby legitimacy in the USA, everyone wants the opportunity to win an Olympic medal," Miller said.
"Governments put their weight behind Olympic sports, individuals dream about winning a medal, there will be more money, more facilities, more coaching, awareness in general for rugby in the USA.
"Hopefully the game will continue its growth in the States and this will help accelerate it."
© 2009 AP
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