During the current Sevens season, the Sevens-world was excitedly buzzing about the big strides being made the so-called smaller rugby-nations. The USA is one of those. The Americans have been fielding some very competitive teams and occasionally giving the big sides a good run for their money. What few people know is that the reigning Olympic Champions are in in fact:
The United States of America.
The USA beat France for the Gold Medal during the 1924 Olympic Games.
The “Games of the VIII Olympiad” was hosted by the city of Paris, France which is also the home city of the man known as “the father of the modern Olympic Games”, Baron Pierre De Coubertin. Rugby was one of 19 main sports, while the Games also hosted 6 demonstration sports.
South Africa was one of 44 nations who participated in the 1924 Olympic Games and if you look here have a look at the flag that SA sported in those days.
I found the following grainy, black&white video clip on YouTube. It was placed there by a rugby historian (who also happens to be an avid collector of 1870-1930 rugby memorabilia) Frederic Humbert. The Paris native incidently found the movie reels at a flea-market!
Enjoy.
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