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OLYMPIC RETURN CAPS GAME-CHANGING YEAR2016 will be remembered as a game-changing year for rugby as the Olympic Games in Rio capped a golden year that saw record increases in participation and fan-base.The road to Rio 2016 was a long one – nine years from the bid – but its impact has certainly been profound as rugby has continued to break new markets thanks to its Olympic status.With children leading the charge, there are more rugby participants in more nations than ever before as 2016 global participation levels topped 8.5 million, an eight per cent increase on 2015 figures.With the sport reaching and inspiring more men, women and children than ever before, an additional two million boys and girls in 129 nations participated in the international federation’s Get Into Rugby programme, nearly double the number of participants in 2015.Yet, it was not just on the field where rugby was capturing hearts and minds. A Nielsen study undertaken after the Olympic Games determined that the sport’s fan-base had increased by more than 16.83 million in six surveyed markets, reinforcing rugby sevens as a crowd-pleasing hit, particularly among younger audiences. It is estimated that rugby’s total global fan-base grew by 50 million over the 12-month period to 300 million thanks to the enormous platform provided by the Olympic Games and Rugby World Cup to enable the sport to reach and break new markets. The year also saw World Rugby firmly establish itself as a major player in fan engagement as the federation’s total audience topped seven million for the first time – second only to FIFA – while independent research on engagement rates saw World Rugby achieve top-performer status at the Olympic Games, inspiring and converting new fans to join the rugby family.GUATEMALA AND SLOVAKIA JOIN WORLD RUGBYIn May 2016, the Asociación Deportiva de Rugby de Guatemala (GRF) and Slovenská Rugbyová Únia (Slovak Rugby Union, SRU) became the newest member unions of World Rugby after Council approved their applications for associate member status. This decision brings the total number to 103 full members and 18 associate members.Both unions were supported by their respective regional associations, Sudamérica Rugby and Rugby Europe, as well as their Regional Services Managers. The unions are also recognised by their National Olympic Committees.The SRU has been a full member of Rugby Europe since 2004 and runs domestic competitions for men’s sevens and 15s and women’s sevens with almost 600 adult male players and 60 female players. The GRF runs an annual domestic 15s competition and has 212 adult male players and 75 female players with nearly 400 youth players.Meanwhile, at its interim meeting in November, Council also agreed to ratify the Executive Committee’s decision to suspend the Kazakhstan Rugby Federation’s membership of World Rugby. They are the third union suspended by Council owing to governance issues, the others being the Hellenic Federation of Rugby and the Fédération Mauritanienne de Rugby.ABOVEUSA players and fans celebrate victory over France in RioYEAR IN REVIEW 2016 WORLD RUGBY 13NEWS | INFORM