RUGBY SEVENS AT THE 2016 AND 2020 OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES
In 2016 rugby sevens debuted in the Summer Olympic Games. Three Rugby Americas North teams competed in Rio de Janeiro, including both the Men’s and Women’s USA Rugby Eagles and the Women’s Rugby Canada Maple Leafs. For results, stories and more, visit World Rugby’s Olympics page.
Rugby Sevens once again featured in the 2020 edition of the games, played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Rugby Americas North was represented by both Rugby Canada and USA Rugby in the men’s and women’s competitions.
RUGBY CANADA WOMEN’S SEVENS
3RD PLACE
USA RUGBY WOMEN’S SEVENS
5TH PLACE
USA RUGBY MEN’S SEVENS
9TH PLACE
RUGBY IN THE OLYMPICS
- Rugby 15s was played at four Olympic Games: 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924
- The following countries became Olympic Champions at rugby: France in 1900, Australia in 1908, USA in 1920 and 1924.
- The following countries won medals in the Olympics rugby tournaments: France – three medals: one gold and two silvers, USA – two gold medals, Britain – one silver and one bronze, Australia – one gold medal, Germany – silver in 1900 and Romania – bronze in 1924.
- Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic movement, played, refereed and promoted Football Rugby as it was called in his days.
RUGBY SEVENS SEEDINGS & DRAW
In both the women’s and the men’s rugby sevens competitions there will be 12 teams, split into three pools of four for the opening group stages.
The make-up of the pools is determined by the teams being seeded one to 12, based on the points they have accumulated over the past two seasons of the World Rugby Sevens Series, comprising multiple events throughout 2014-15 and 2015-16.
The four teams who qualified directly for the Olympic Games by finishing in the top four positions in the 2014-15 World Rugby Sevens Series are guaranteed a top four seeding, with their position determined by their combined points over the two seasons.