Do USA Rugby Sevens team have a chance of winning a medal at Paris Olympics 2024? A look at their competition and recent performances

By Soumik Bhattacharya

Modified Jul 23, 2024 19:52 GMT

Since the inception of rugby sevens in the Olympics in 2016, the USA Rugby Sevens have not been able to win a medal in the event. The team has won two gold medals in rugby union in the 1920 and 1924 editions, but both the men's and the women's teams have failed to claim rugby seven glory.

Recent performances of the USA Rugby Sevens team ahead of the Paris Olympics have been underwhelming. In the World Rugby Edition Seven Series (2023-24), the US men's team finished in the ninth position of the table with 22 wins and 52 points in 40 games. In fact, their best finish since 2021 has been sixth, which came during the 2021-22 season.

The USA Rugby Sevens team finished fourth last year during the Pan American Games in Santiago. It was their worst-ever finish at the event.

On the other hand, the women's team finished in the fourth position of the table with 85 points at the World Rugby Edition Seven Series. They were impressive in last year's Pan American Games, winning the gold medal.

The US men's team will face stern competition at the Olympics this year. They are set to take on two-time Olympic-winning team, Fiji, as well as the French side that finished above them in the World Rugby Seven World Series.

Hence, even with the presence of two-time Olympians Perry Baker and Madison Hughes, the chances of the US men's team getting a medal aren't great.

However, with the presence of experienced campaigners such as Lauren Doyle, and Alev Kelter on the women's team, they will be a team to watch out for at the mega event.

USA Rugby Sevens Team: Schedule for the Paris Olympics

Team USA Sevens during the Madrid Sevens tournament (IMAGE: Getty)

Here is the complete schedule of the USA Rugby Sevens men's and women's teams for the Paris Olympics:

Men's team: Group C

July 24, Wednesday

10:30 AM ET- USA vs France

2:30 PM ET- USA vs Fiji

July 25, Thursday

9:00 AM ET- USA vs Uruguay

Women's team: Group C

July 28, Sunday

10:30 AM ET- USA vs Japan

2:00 PM ET- USA vs Brazil

July 29, Monday

9:30 AM ET- USA vs France

USA Rugby Seven squad for the Paris Olympics:

Men: Aaron Cummings, Maka Unufe, Orrin Bizer, Matai Leuta, Marcus Tupuola, Kevon Williams, Naima Fuala’au, Malacchi Esdale, Stephen Tomasin, Madison Hughes, Perry Baker, Lucas Lacamp, Pita Vi (traveling reserve), Adam Channel (traveling reserve)

Women: Alena Olsen, Alev Kelter, Ariana Ramsey, Ilona Maher, Kayla Canett, Kristi Kirshe, Lauren Doyle, Naya Tapper, Sammy Sullivan, Sarah Levy, Spiff Sedrick, Steph Rovetti, Nicole Heavirland (traveling reserve), Kris Thomas (traveling reserve)