The International Rugby Board ( IRB ) has officially received confirmation that the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) will include rugby in the 2011 Pan American Games sporting program.

The participation of rugby sevens in the Pan American Games has been a goal of USA Rugby and the IRB for several years. The confirmation is another significant boost for the sport, as the discipline of rugby sevens is a very popular inclusion in several major multi-sport events, including the Commonwealth Games, World Games, Asian Games and South Pacific Games.

"We are delighted that PASO has officially confirmed the inclusion of rugby sevens in the Pan American Games Sporting Program for the 2011 Games in Guadalajara, Mexico,” said Tom Jones, the IRB’s Regional General Manager for North America and The West Indies. “This is an exciting development for rugby in North America and we are very excited about the prospect of our men's and women's national teams competing in what is a major multi-sports championship that will increase the profile of the game across the Americas, in addition to providing stimulus for increased development within the region's developing Unions.”

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