Tuesday represented Medals Day at the 2024 Paris Olympics for the Women’s Rugby Sevens, featuring representatives from the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The semi-final matchup saw New Zealand down Team USA 24-12 while Canada outlasted Australia 21-12. These results set up a pair of dynamic rugby matches to determine the medal winners at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event is growing in popularity among casual followers of the sport. The competitions and storylines can often serve as a springboard to help further grow the demand and popularity of less-followed athletics.
Team USA needs last-second try to claim Bronze
Alex Sedrick lowered her shoulder through an Australian tackle attempted in the final seconds ticked off the clock to tie the score. Sedrick’s conversion kick completed an epic 14-12 comeback victory for Team USA in the bronze medal game. The win gave the United States their first-ever medal in the competition, as the team has generated some buzz on social media.
Retired NFL superstar Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie were among the 60,000 fans in attendance to watch the final matches of the 2024 Paris Olympics tournament in Rugby Sevens. Kelce and team social sensation Ilona Maher exchanged messages online, with Kelce indicating that he became a fan of women’s rugby at these Olympics. It’s fitting that Kelce would befriend Team USA’s rugby squad, whose nickname is “the Eagles.” The team women’s rugby team has been around since 1987.
New Zealand wins back-to-back gold
New Zealand’s representatives for the 2024 Paris Olympics defended their 2020 Olympic Gold Medals with a 19-12 win over Canada. Stacey Waaka and Michaela Blyde scored for the Black Ferns in the back-to-back gold medal-winning victory. Team USA’s neighbor to the north, Canada, had an impressive showing in a silver medal finish during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Canada outlasted a tough France team to earn a place in the semi-finals.
Surprises, even in Paris, and the highest level of competition can happen at any time. However, it’s not uncommon to see a homefield advantage boost, as was on display toward the end for the French side. Regardless, the North American team, being able to outexecute and outlast showed their class in the game.
Mind-blowing week for viral sensation, Michaela Blyde
Outside of rugby and American sports, one of the most fun stories of the 2024 Paris Olympics has been the journey of New Zealand’s Michaela Blyde befriending Jamaican Olympic legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce via social media. Earlier in the week, Gold Medalist Fraser-Pryce interacted with Blyde via Instagram, prompting a fun meeting in the Olympic Village between the two athletes. As Miachala sprinted down the field to help New Zealand claim the Gold Medal, her new best friend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrated with her newfound friend.
The camaraderie and friendship on display illustrate the mutual respect world-class athletes have for each other. Everyone competing knows firsthand what it takes to have the privilege of striving for hardware. It’s easy to see that these two have a bond that will last a lifetime. And rest assured. Their continued relationship is likely to be a consistent talking point for months to come, and deservingly so. Ultimately, a story like this shows what is great about the overall event and the ideal purpose in the first place, unity. The 2024 Paris Olympics have already lived up to the billing, and much more is certain to follow.
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