Antoine Dupont Leads France to Historic Gold in Olympic Rugby Sevens

 

Antoine Dupont Leads France to Historic Gold in Olympic Rugby Sevens

In an electrifying display of skill and leadership, superstar scrum-half Antoine Dupont came off the bench to guide France to their first gold medal of the Paris Olympics, with a resounding 28-7 victory over Fiji in the men's rugby sevens final.

Dupont, a central figure and poster boy of the Games, delivered a masterclass performance that included setting up a try and scoring two himself, inspiring the hosts to a stunning win over the Fijian side.

"It is sensational. It is unbelievable. It is a big reward for us," said Dupont after the match. "It is huge. We worked a lot for a lot of months and a lot of years - in some players' case - for this moment."

The final was evenly poised at 7-7 at half-time when Dupont, who had opted out of the Six Nations to focus on the sevens, entered the field to a thunderous ovation. His impact was immediate and decisive. Within 21 seconds, Dupont raced down the left flank and set up British-born Aaron Grandidier to finish the move, putting France ahead.

From that moment, the French team gained confidence and control, never looking back. Dupont's brilliance continued as he scored two more tries, including one after the final hooter, sealing the victory and igniting jubilant celebrations.

The atmosphere at Stade de France was electric, with French President Emmanuel Macron joining in the celebrations in the stands. Nearly 70,000 spectators sang and danced in triumph, remaining on their feet for an hour after the final whistle. They sang a repertoire of songs, including a rousing rendition of the national anthem, La Marseillaise, and applauded each victorious player as they received their gold medals.

Dupont’s heroics have etched his name into French sporting history, as his performance not only secured a historic gold medal but also united the nation in celebration. The victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the French rugby sevens team, who have trained tirelessly for this moment.

As the players basked in the glory of their achievement, the legacy of Dupont’s performance will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the Paris Olympics, inspiring future generations of rugby players and fans alike.