Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Rugby Sevens

Rugby as a sport dates back to medieval times in several European countries, but modern rules and codes were established between 1845 and 1848 by an English town of Rugby and the University of Cambridge. In 1871, the first national federation was created. In 1873, Rugby Seven as a sport was conceived by two butchers, Ned Haig and David Sanderson, as a fundraising event in Melrose, Scotland. In 1886, the International Rugby Board (now called World Rugby) was established.

What are the rules?

Several variations of rugby have emerged over the years: Rugby League, Beach Rugby and Flag Rugby – the two main forms of the game remain 15-player Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens.

All variations share the same basic rules for tackles, back passes and scrums, which vary depending on the number of players allowed on the field.

Sevens rugby is fast and intense with matches lasting 14 minutes, or seven minutes over two halves. It is more physically demanding in the sense that players do more sprints and score more tries than in Rugby Union.

The points system is the same as the traditional Rugby Union format: 5 points for a try, 2 points for a kick conversion and 3 points for a drop or penalty.

What is the history of rugby sevens at the Olympic Games?

Rugby has a long history at the Olympic Games. A men’s rugby union event was first included at the 1900 Paris Games and was repeated at the 1908, 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games. However, it was removed from the Olympic program after the 1924 Paris Games.

There was an attempt to introduce rugby sevens at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. But it lost to American lacrosse and American football.

There was another attempt to get it back for the 2012 Olympics in London. Golf, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens and squash were all considered in 2005. Squash and karate were included after votes.

It was reintroduced by the IOC in October 2009 for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. He has since been part of the men’s and women’s program.

Who are the reigning champions?

Fiji won its first ever Olympic gold medal in men’s rugby sevens in Rio in 2016. The sport is closely woven into the social fabric of the country. Unsurprisingly, the men’s team won another gold medal in Tokyo. A third consecutive Olympic title, however, promises to be difficult, with Fiji having failed to win during the World Series tour this season.

Australia and New Zealand share the women’s rugby sevens gold medals. These are the teams to beat this year. Australia won the 2024 World Series. But the gap is narrowing between the two historic leaders and a group of pursuers including France and the United States.

Which countries qualified?

Men: France, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Uruguay, Ireland, United States, Kenya, Samoa, Japan and other countries to be decided.

Women: France, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Ireland, Brazil, Great Britain, Canada, South Africa, Fiji, Japan and another to be determined.

Who are the athletes to watch in Rugby Sevens?

Antoine Dupont (France): The 27-year-old scrum half is one of the best rugby players in the world. He has turned his attention to the sport’s condensed sevens format this year in a bid to win an Olympic gold medal on home soil.

Michael Hooper (Australia): He was the longest serving captain of the Australian Wallabies before converting to rugby sevens after failing to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. The 32-year-old got a crash course in the fine arts of playing 7 in the World Series.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (New Zealand): Olympic champion and all-time leading scorer in the Women’s Rugby Sevens World Series – scoring her 250th career try at the Singapore Sevens tournament in May. She won a gold medal in Tokyo, making up for the bitter disappointment of a defeat to Australia in 2016 when rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro.

Ilona Maher (United States): She was one of the TikTok stars at the Tokyo Olympics, where she posted wearing a red, white, and blue bucket hat. Maher is using a #beastbeautybrains campaign and hopes her videos will spread positive body image and bring more attention to the sport.

When will Rugby Sevens take place at the Paris Olympics?

The men’s tournament begins on July 24, two days before the opening ceremony, and concludes with the gold medal match on July 27. The women’s tournament will take place from July 28 to 30. There is still one place to fill in the pools of 12 teams and it will be filled between June 21 and 23 in Monaco.