Team USA Rugby Sevens returns to the Olympic games in Paris, exactly 100 years after the last American gold medal was won in rugby in 1924. The Men's and Women's teams qualified for Paris in 2023, with the Women's team finishing Top Four on the World Rugby SVNS Series and Men's team winning the North American Qualifier tournament in August. Welcomed back to the olympics in Rio 2016, rugby sevens is an electric, sped up version of the fifteen a side game with festival style atmosphere.
Three players on the Paris Team USA squad will compete in their record third Olympic Games, with Alev Kelter, Lauren Doyle and Perry Baker all returning from the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 rosters. Played over three days in a tournament bracket, the Men's team will compete July 24, 25 and 27 (breaking for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremonies on July 26), while the USA Women will compete July 28, 29 and 30 from Stade de France.
Men's Rugby - Players to Watch:
- Perry Baker - A two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award winner in 2017 and 2018, the rugby legend will make his third Olympic appearance.
- Kevon Williams - Captain of the team, the football transfer and Houston native returns to the Olympics with sights set on a medal.
- Malacchi Esdale - Second in tries scored during the 2023-24 World Rugby SVNS season, Esdale was an alternate in Tokyo, looking to earn his title as Olympian.
Women's Rugby - Players to Watch:
- Naya Tapper - Currently holding the American record for most tries scored on the rugby pitch, Naya returns from injury this season to the Paris Olympics as Captain.
- Alev Kelter - One of the first three-time Olympians in rugby, Kelter has reached legend status on the World Rugby stage.
- Lauren Doyle - Co-Captain and most tenured player with USA Rugby, Doyle will run out for her record third Olympics in Paris
- Ilona Maher - Making waves off the pitch with her social media presence and positive messaging, Maher is equally a force on the rugby pitch with power and speed to match.
For inquiries: Women's: Taylor Dean - tdean@usa.rugby Men's: Calder Cahill - ccahill@usa.rugby
