El más impredecible, emocionante y atlético deporte del planeta regresará el próximo fin de semana en el HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2021 en Canadá.
Siete semanas después de que terminaran los dos apasionantes torneos de sevens en los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokio, varios de los mejores jugadores estarán nuevamente en acción y los simpatizantes podrán sumarse también.
Vancouver será sede del primero de dos HSBC Canada Sevens masculino y Fast Four femenino el 18 y 19 de septiembre; una semana más tarde, todo se mudará a Edmonton.
Estos eventos será la Serie 2021, con los títulos masculino y femenino a entregarse en Edmonton.
Gran Bretaña buscará seguir avanzando después de una buena actuación en Tokio, donde quedaron cerca de una medalla en el Fast Four el próximo sábado.
eat Britain will be looking to build on some impressive performances in Tokyo, where they narrowly missed out on a medal, when the women’s fast four tournament kicks off next Saturday.
Hosts Canada and the USA, who finished sixth at Tokyo Stadium, will both be confident that they can emerge victorious, while Mexico complete the line-up as the Series is played in front of the best supporters in the world for the first time in 18 months.
Six teams that competed in the men’s tournament at the Olympics in July have made the trip to Canada for sevens’ return, including Great Britain whose men also finished fourth in Tokyo.
South Africa, who won the 2017 and 2018 Series and finished as runners-up in 2020, have picked an exciting squad for the opening tournament that contains Angelo Davids, JC Pretorius and Ronald Brown, who enjoyed a breakthrough tournament in Tokyo.
Hosts Canada, the USA, Ireland and Kenya will also hope to put the lessons they learned at the Games into practice in Vancouver.
And, while COVID-19 travel restrictions have prevented a number of core Series teams from competing in Canada, new legends are sure to be made over the next fortnight.
That is particularly important as the teams use the tournaments in Vancouver and Edmonton as preparation for a packed 12 months that contains not only the 2022 Series, but also the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens.
"We are incredibly excited to be bringing international rugby sevens back to Canada,” Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen said.
“Events aren’t able to move forward in today’s pandemic-influenced environment without a number of stakeholders working together.
“Our government partners and host venues have come together with solution-oriented approaches in order to host these events in Canada while ensuring the safety of participants and fans.
“On behalf of Rugby Canada, I thank World Rugby for these opportunities to once again welcome the world and celebrate the spirit of sevens rugby.”
READ MORE: Reliving the best moments from RWC Sevens 2018 >>
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