Rugby Sevens to Launch Paris 2024 Olympics in Grand Style
Rugby Sevens is scheduled to kick off the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with an exciting opener on Wednesday, July 24, at a sold-out Stade de France.
Rugby’s exciting new structure will create history as it ushers in the Games and demonstrates the sport’s development into a top Olympic sport.
Rugby sevens will begin the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on July 24, two days prior to the opening ceremony.
The women’s rugby sevens will take place from July 28 to 30. The men’s rugby sevens will take place on July 24, 25, and 27. The first team gold medal in the history of the Olympic Games will be awarded in the men’s final on July 27.
The men’s competition will begin with Australia playing Samoa, followed by the USA playing the hosts France and Uruguay playing the reigning champions Fiji.
On July 28, Ireland will play Great Britain in the first match of the women’s rugby sevens season, while China will take on the challenger champions, New Zealand.
Rugby sevens history’s most intense competition is set to begin on Monday with the captains of the 12 men’s and women’s teams gathering in the Olympic Village. Sixty-nine thousand spectators are expected to attend each session at the Stade de France, home of the Rugby World Cup 2023 final.
Following its Olympic debut in Rio 2016 and the COVID-19-affected Tokyo 2020 games, rugby sevens will establish itself as a “mature” sport when it hosts its third event in front of a sellout crowd at Paris’ legendary Stade de France.
Over 550,000 spectators are anticipated to pack the Stade de France for the eight competitive sessions of rugby sevens, which is proving to be one of the most popular sports at the Paris Games. Millions more are expected to watch on television throughout the globe.
The men’s rugby sevens champion will receive the first team gold medal of the competition when it takes place on July 24, 25, and 27. The much-anticipated women’s competition is scheduled for July 28–30.
The Olympic Games will be opened by Australia and Samoa on July 24 at 15:30 local time (GMT+2). At 16:30, the host country and SVNS Grand Final winners France, captained by international standout Antoine Dupont, will play the USA; at 17:00, two-time Olympic champions Fiji will play debutant Uruguay.
Ireland and Great Britain will compete in the women’s division at 15:30 on July 28. In the other matches, Australia, the SVNS Grand Final winners, will take on South Africa, while New Zealand, the reigning champions, will play China, the challenger champions. The eight teams who have advanced to the quarterfinals will compete in the evening session on the second day of the event. The semi-finals and other key medal matches will take place on the third day of the competition, where Olympic aspirations will either come true or not.
In light of the tremendous success of the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023, rugby sevens is predicted to be one of the main attractions in Paris in 2024. The Stade de France, the site of the Rugby World Cup 2023’s opening and closing games, will host all rugby sevens matches.
The men’s SVNS Series has been won by five countries since 2016, including France, which last month won the inaugural SVNS Grand Final title in Madrid, and Argentina, which won the SVNS 2024 League. Fiji is well-known for having won the men’s gold medals at the two previous Olympic Games. However, the level of competition is clearly rising.
With one Olympic gold medal each, Australia and New Zealand have elevated women’s sevens to a new level. Rising powers like the USA and Canada, as well as France, which took home a silver in Tokyo 2020, might present a formidable domestic challenge.
The 24 teams that qualified for Paris through the World Rugby Sevens Reprise, regional qualification events, and the HSBC SVNS Series include representatives from all six World Rugby regions. Ireland will be competing in the women’s tournament for the first time, while Uruguay and Samoa will be competing for the first time in the men’s competition.
“We are excited to see rugby sevens kick off the Paris 2024 Olympic Games when it opens at the Stade de France on Wednesday, marking a “mature” Olympic event,” said World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.
“Paris is a magnificent celebration of the finest rugby sevens, and the crown jewel of our largest-ever season.
“Our stars will shine in front of record-breaking crowds over six days of ‘hard-fought’ sevens competition, showcasing our sport, its values, and the joy of the Olympic Games to a global audience.” Paris is prepared. Rugby is prepared. Let’s start this competition off right!”
The Executive Sporting Director of Paris 2024, Aurelie Maire, continued, “This will be a big day for rugby sevens and for Paris 2024, with rugby and football kicking off the tournament.” We call it ‘kick-off’. The scene is ready, and what a magnificent scene it will be! In its third Olympic Games, we want to make sure rugby sevens is a great, high-profile showcase for the excitement and distinctive fan culture it brings.
“At Paris 2024, we want to add a different side to rugby sevens, which is well known for its party culture, which fits perfectly with our vision of making the tournament a glamorous and intimate celebration.”
Paulin Riba, the captain of the French men’s team, stated: “We are thrilled that rugby is the first event and we want to take home a gold. After playing against formidable teams like Argentina, Fiji, and New Zealand, we have concluded an incredible season with a great deal of confidence and experience. We are thrilled that rugby sevens will be held in the Stade de France, where there will be an amazing atmosphere.”
Regarding Antoine Dupont’s influence, Riva continued, saying, “We believe Antoine is the best player in the world.” We feel very confident when he’s on the field, which is great for the squad.”
Sarah Hirini, the co-captain of the New Zealand women’s team, stated: “It’s great to be back at the top level of competition. It feels like it’s my first Olympics because of the enthusiasm and energy in the Olympic Village and among the squad members.”
“We’re going to attempt something unprecedented, savor the occasion, and attempt to create history. Being able to perform in front of such a large audience makes me extremely proud, and it’s the most essential thing we can accomplish as the sevens sport. It’s very moving to be in such a full stadium, as I experienced last year during the Men’s World Cup.”
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Jerry Tuwai, the men’s captain of Fiji and a double Olympic winner, stated: “We want to keep winning gold at the Olympics, so it’s great to be back.” While missing a few events during the season was difficult, we are thrilled to be back and have another chance to win the gold.”
“The atmosphere at the match against France will be incredible, and the crowd will exert pressure.” I have the utmost regard for Dupont because he is an excellent player who inspires everyone around him.”
Charlotte Caslick, the captain of Australia’s women’s team, stated: “We are thrilled. We’ve made it here at last, following an incredible sevens season and training camp in Montpellier. We went home and worked really hard to prepare even though we have been playing so well.
“Having family and friends visit the Stade de France and enjoy the experience makes it extra memorable. We’ve trained to be able to talk to each other over the cacophony of the venue and the roar of the crowd. I had an incredible experience playing in front of such audiences at the Rugby World Cup 2023 last year,” Jorge remarked. “I believe that every team wants to win the gold medal, but since we have the illustrious Charni Smale on our squad, we also want to win the gold medal and give her a fairytale ending. We are more driven than just the desire to succeed.”
Harry McNulty, the captain of the Ireland men’s team, stated: “Acclimating to the Olympic Village is great. Everyone is at ease, content, and savoring this unique occasion. I am quite excited for kickoff. Although it’s unpredictable and every team has a chance to win, my goal is to guide the group to a self-assured and competitive performance.”
“It’s wonderful to begin the Olympics at this time; rugby sevens desperately needs this. Sevens is a fast-paced, exhilarating activity that has a global following. We have an absolutely amazing sport. I am eager for the Games to begin.”
U.S. women’s captain Naya Taper stated, “Having all those fans in the stadium is exciting and, at least for me, scary.” “Tokyo 2020 was fantastic, but it lacked enthusiastic and jeering spectators in the stands. But this time, we’re ready for that type of thrill. We have been getting ready, and we can’t wait to get going.”
“The past is the past and the present is the present, but I’m really delighted with what I accomplished last season. I’ll enter this competition with the knowledge and self-assurance I acquired from the previous season.
“We are not the only ones competing in this tournament and every match will be tough, but I want to make my friends and family proud by standing on the podium with a gold medal, not a silver or bronze medal.”
“It’s really inspiring to be able to play on such a big stage and it ties into our philosophy that women can be a source of inspiration for everyone watching – young boys and girls, fans and those who are just discovering rugby – to be role models on and off the field and people that they want to follow.”
