Perhaps no team sport at the Olympics is as exciting as rugby sevens. If you like American football, you’ll love rugby sevens. It’s fast-paced with lots of action, hitting, nifty running, passing, and even some kicking. I’ve fallen in love with this sport thanks to the past two Olympics and Olympic video games.
Tokyo 2020 results:
| Medal | Men |
| Gold | Fiji |
| Silver | New Zealand |
| Bronze | Argentina |
| Medal | Women |
| Gold | New Zealand |
| Silver | France |
| Bronze | Fiji |
2024 outlook (as of June 11, 2023):
It all comes down to New Zealand and Fiji. Those are the world powers in rugby, and it’s hard to pick one over the other. For that reason, I’m splitting the golds and silvers between the two. I may be wrong in all four slots, but I still think that Fiji will take home one gold and one silver, and so will New Zealand.
How about the bronzes? Great Britain, in my mind, is the biggest threat; they finished fourth in both tournaments two years ago. France may make a run at home, and the United States is a slight contender. Ultimately, my projections don’t look all that different from last time’s.
Update (June 25, 2024):
It looks as if Great Britain’s men’s team has fallen off a bit in the World Rugby Series. Therefore, I’m going to change my bronze medal pick over to Argentina. In the women’s tournament, Fiji’s fallen off a bit, so I’m going to bump up France and add in Australia. Sorry, USA, I want you to win, but the competition’s just too fierce.
2024 projections:
| Medal | Men |
| Gold | Fiji |
| Silver | New Zealand |
| Bronze | Great Britain |
| Medal | Women |
| Gold | New Zealand |
| Silver | France |
| Bronze | Australia |
Projected medal count:
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| New Zealand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Fiji | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| France | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Great Britain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Australia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Tommy A. Phillips 