Dupont’s Olympic selection confirmed as French Rugby Federation announces squad for Paris Games

PARIS — Antoine Dupont, Olympian. One of the world’s best rugby players will be able to use his new nickname after being selected for the French rugby sevens team for the Paris Olympics, which begin later this month.

Dupont, 27, already one of the most decorated players in 15-a-side football, began working with the rugby sevens team earlier this year with the aim of winning Olympic gold on home soil.

He played in three World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments, returning with two gold medals and a bronze. He only had to stay healthy through regular club involvements to ensure his selection was confirmed when the French Rugby Federation announced its men’s and women’s Olympic squads on Monday.

“After a season full of emotions, the management team has revealed the list of players selected to defend the French colours during the rugby 7s events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” the federation said.

Already high expectations for the French men’s team were heightened after they won their first World Series title in Madrid last month, beating league leaders Argentina 19-5 in the final.

Already this season, the French won the Los Angeles leg of the World Series in March, their first tournament victory in 19 years.

France arrived at the World Series final in Madrid ranked fifth, but peaked at the right time by beating two-time Olympic champions Fiji in the semi-final and then Argentina in the final.

“We have an important objective in a few weeks,” said French coach Jérôme Daret, “and that is perhaps to win the Olympic Games.”

Paulin Riva, Dupont’s teammate in the rugby sevens team, explained the reason for this recent success: “When he is on the field, we have a lot of confidence.”

The French women’s team finished second in the World Series final, behind Australia, the 2016 Olympic champion. And even though they have never won a title on the World Series circuit, the French women are serious candidates for the title in Paris.

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Teams:

Men: Jean-Pascal Barraque, Antoine Dupont, Théo Forner, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Jefferson Lee Joseph, Stephen Parez-edo Martin, Varian Pasquet, Rayan Rebbadj, Paulin Riva, Jordan Sepho, Andy Timo, Antoine Zeghdar.

Women: Anne-Cecile Ciofani, Lili Dezou, Caroline Drouin, Camille Grassineau, Joanna Grisez, Chloe Jacquet, Ian Jason, Carla Neisen, Lou Noel Rivier, Seraphine Okemba, Chloe Pelle, Yolaine Yengo.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games