By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

October 2 - The World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, which finished in Richmond on Sunday with victory for the United States, was worth $3.6 million (£2.2 million) to British Columbia, an economic impact report has revealed.



The six-day event, staged at the Richmond Olympic Oval, was attended by 12 countries backed by spectators from all over the world.

According to the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance sport tourism economic assessment model (STEAM), the economic impact to the City of Richmond will be $2.8 million (£1.7 million), while the impact to the Province of British Columbia was $3.6 million (£2.2 million). 

"Hosting international tournaments of this magnitude has many benefits," said Director and Event Manager of the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, Kathy Newman.

"By hosting the Championships here in Richmond, we have set in motion a legacy that will not only affect the future of the sport in the province but will also impact the sport across the country."

More than 400 athletes, coaches, officials, delegates and volunteers representing attended the tournament, the first international event to be held at the Oval after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The tournament ended with the US taking gold over Australia, winning 57-45.

Canada beat Britain 59 to 54 for fifth place.

"The City of Richmond is committed to becoming one of Canada's premier sport hosting destinations," said City of Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

"We're excited to have had the opportunity to host a prestigious event like the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, which not only provides great social and economic benefits for our community, but also build on our incredible success as a venue city for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games."

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