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Rugby arrived in Brazil at the same time as football, but only one of them took hold. Until now... CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
The inclusion of rugby sevens in the 2016 Olympics has encouraged the game's growth in the host country. Over the past five years 10,000 Brazilian players have taken up the sport. CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Marcos Paixao (left) is one of the country's brightest stars. He grew up in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro -- along with brothers Maicon (right), Max and Maxwilliam -- and says rugby offered a chance to get away from the violence and danger of his surroundings. Marcelo Regua/ Getty Images via HSBC
"A friend of mine used play on the beach" says Marcos. "Out of curiosity I asked him what rugby was and he said: 'C'mon I'll show you.' CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
"At first I didn't want to because it seemed like a violent sport. The following week I went to watch and they asked me to join them, so I did. I've stayed ever since." CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
It's been estimated that there are over one million people living in Rio de Janeiro's favelas. CNN
The Paixao brothers live in Rio's Cantagalo favela.
Sports initiative Rio Rugby provided support for the brothers developing skills but Marcos also took training into his own hands, constructing training weights from metal bars and plastic tubs filled with cement. CNN
Brazil's national sevens team has hired Andres Romagnoli -- formerly coach of South American sevens title-winners Argentina -- to take the team forward. Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Marcos hopes to be with the team when they kick off in 2016, but will face stiff competition from a fast developing team. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Either way, Marcos thanks rugby for what it has given him. "Rugby welcomed us like a family and we accepted it like a family. It showed us things, like how to respect others." Marcelo Regua/ Getty Images via HSBC
Brazil's women's sevens team is on the rise, too. It became an invitational core team for the 2013-14 IRB Women's Sevens World Series, giving it the chance to play at each tournament against the world's top sides. Ben Hoskins/Getty Images
