Rugby union at the 1924 Summer Olympics
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Rugby union was played at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Three teams entered - France, Romania and the United States. The United States was returning to defend their gold medal after they defeated the French at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Each country played two games. Both France and the United States beat Romania, making the last match between the United States and France, the gold medal game. The United States emerged as winners, defeating France 17 points to 3. Rugby union was soon cancelled as an Olympic event, and the United States remain Olympic champions.
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[edit] Controversy
The rugby event at the 1924 Summer games is well known for a string of colorful controversies between the United States and French team. There was considerable animosity held towards the American side by the French, as France was soundly defeated by the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Even though the United States were coming in with the gold medal, they were still the underdogs at the 1924 games.
The American team encountered some notable trouble in France, from initially being denied entry at the port, being forced to train in a local park, having training gear and possessions stolen and general jeering from the French public as well as heat from the media.
[edit] Legacy
The United States defeated France to continue their reign as Olympic champions, and in doing so, became the only team ever to win gold twice at the rugby event, let alone back-to-back. The American victory is well remembered in rugby's history as one of the great underdog victories.
The International Olympic Committee removed rugby union as an Olympic sport after the 1924 games, and turned down a proposal to stage them at the 1928 Summer Olympics. A number of reasons have been attributed to the removal; IOC wanting to focus more on bi-gender sports (rugby had only been competed by males at the Olympics thus far), limited international participation and restriction of funding from European bodies. Crowd behavior was also likely a deciding factor. As rugby union has not been played at the games since, the United States remain Olympic champions to this day.
[edit] Results
- May 4 France 59–3 Romania
- May 11 United States 39–0 Romania
- May 17 France 3–17 United States
[edit] Medal tally
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Games Gold Silver Bronze 1924 Paris 
United States
France
Romania
[edit] Team rosters
[edit] France
| Name |
|---|
|
F. Abraham |
[edit] Romania
| Name |
|---|
|
N. Anastasiade |
[edit] United States
| Name |
|---|
|
C. Austin |
[edit] External links
| Rugby union at the Summer Olympics |  |
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| 1900 • 1904 • 1908 • 1912 • 1920 • 1924 See also: List of Olympic medalists in rugby union |
| Events at the 1924 Summer Olympics (Paris) |
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| Athletics • Boxing • Canoeing (demonstration) • Cycling • Diving • Equestrian • Fencing • Football • Gymnastics • Modern pentathlon • Polo • Rowing • Rugby • Sailing • Shooting • Swimming • Tennis • Water polo • Weightlifting • Wrestling |
