Paris 2024 Olympics: Shujaa placed in tough group as they set eyes on medalling

Photo || Mike Lee- World Rugby

Paris 2024 Olympics: Shujaa placed in tough group as they set eyes on medalling

Mark Kinyanjui 10:13 - 24.06.2024

Shujaa placed in tough pool B at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Kenya 7s national rugby men's team Shujaa have been placed in Pool B for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. 

The tournament, scheduled to run from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, August 11, will see Shujaa facing stiff competition from second-seeded Argentina, Australia, and Samoa.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

The Paris 2024 Olympics rugby sevens tournament will feature 12 men's teams and will take place from July 24-27. 

The women's competition will follow from July 28-30. Notably, the rugby sevens matches will begin two days before the opening ceremony, with the men's preliminary and quarterfinal stages kicking off the action. 

Following a pause for the opening ceremony on July 26, the men's teams will vie for medals the next day. The women's tournament will culminate with the gold and bronze medal matches on July 30.

Pool Assignments and Competitors

Pool A:

New Zealand (Top seeds)

Ireland

South Africa

Japan

Pool B:

Argentina

Australia

Kenya 7s (Shujaa)

Samoa

Pool C:

Fiji (2016 and 2020 champions)

France (hosts)

USA

Uruguay

Qualification and Anticipation

Hosts France will be joined by New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, and Australia, who all secured their places by ranking in the top four positions of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023. Other regional qualifiers include:

Uruguay (South America)

Ireland (Europe)

USA (North America)

Kenya (Africa)

Samoa (Oceania)

Japan (Asia)

South Africa earned their spot through the Repechage.

Women's Competition

For the women's lineup, the top four qualifiers from the 2023 World Series are New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and the USA, along with hosts France. They will be joined by regional qualifiers Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, Fiji, and Japan.

Olympic History and Expectations

Paris 2024 marks the third appearance of rugby sevens at the Olympic Games, following the sport's successful debut in Rio 2016 and its continued success in Tokyo 2020. The event is expected to be one of the most thrilling competitions of the Olympics, especially following the excitement of the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

Fiji’s men have been dominant in past Olympic competitions, winning gold in both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. On the women's side, New Zealand are the reigning Olympic champions, while Australia won the inaugural women’s gold medal in Rio.

Kenya 7s, making their Olympic return, will look to make a significant impact in Pool B. With a challenging lineup of opponents, Shujaa will need to bring their best performance to advance and make their mark in Paris.

For more updates on Kenya 7s and other Olympic news, follow Pulse Sports on X.

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