MOSCOW. June 28 (Interfax) - The 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens opened in Moscow on Friday.

Acting Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset and Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko were among those present at the opening ceremony at Luzhniki Stadium, an Interfax reporter said.

Sobyanin read out a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the athletes and audience.

"I am sure that holding the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Russia will become an excellent boost for our rugby fans, will foster Rugby Sevens