As the first website not to be placed behind a paywall, we have made news about the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commonwealth Games and other major events more accessible than ever to everybody. "The attachment the people have with Fiji rugby being at the top of the world game is hugely important."īaber also spoke of the understanding that French clubs need to have when signing Fijian players, who will also be expected to play Sevens Series matches to give them a shot at competing at the Olympics.įijian players Aminiasi Turinaba and Filimoni Botitu recently signed for French outfits Pau and Castres respectively, and have both stated their intention to help defend the nation's Olympic title.įor nearly 15 years now, has been at the forefront of reporting fearlessly on what happens in the Olympic Movement. "It is tough for everyone around the world at the moment and Fiji is in the same boat, and it can't be underestimated how sevens can show the world what Fiji has to offer and help get the economy going. "It would have felt like a job unfinished if I wasn't able to see it through. ![]() "It is exciting to be working in a rugby mad country – a passionate country about rugby sevens – and as reigning Olympic champions I am well aware of expectation that comes with the position. "That is what I came here to do and my contract was until the end of the year and now it will go past the Olympics next year. Speaking to RugbyPass, the 48-year-old said: "I have been asked to extend my contract which is great and the FRU are working hard to ensure there is a programme fit to defend the gold medal and I am delighted to see that through. ![]() Welshman Baber, who took the role in October 2016 after the Rio Games, now turns his attention to the start of the next Sevens Series, scheduled to begin in Dubai at the end of November.įiji's only Olympic medal is the gold won in rugby sevens at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images This handed the men's title to New Zealand after six of the scheduled 10 rounds. They roared to a 43-7 demolition job of Britain in the final as sevens made its debut on the Olympic stage.įiji were also the defending World Rugby Sevens Series champions, but they finished third in 2020 when the competition was cancelled early due to the pandemic. The United States has showed significant improvement since a Rio 2016 quarterfinal exit and could contend for a medal.Fiji's rugby sevens head coach Gareth Baber has decided to extend his deal to ensure he leads the national team into Tokyo 2020, where they will aim to defend the country's Olympic title from 2016.īaber's four-year deal was scheduled to end in December, but will now go through to 2021 after an agreement was reached with the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).ĭue to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to national Governments introducing social and travel restrictions, Tokyo 2020 will now start one year later in 2021.įiji, which has competed at the Games since 1956, made history at Rio 2016 when they won their first Olympic medal of any colour by clinching gold in the men's rugby sevens. New Zealand could have a rugby gold medal sweep in sight should the men prevail, as the women’s team has been similarly dominant in recent international competition. The following day sees the beginning of the women’s tournament, which concludes July 31. Medal matches for the men’s tournament are slated for the early morning (Eastern Time) of Wednesday, July 28. ![]() ![]() Defending Olympic champions Fiji face a difficult gold medal defense as New Zealand enters the competition in dominant form. Play begins Monday, July 26, with the first two rounds of pool play in the men’s tournament as the United Stats aims for a first Olympic medal behind speedster backs Carlin Isles and Perry Baker. Matches last just 14 minutes (two seven-minute halves) and full sessions generally run up to three hours in length. Rugby sevens action comes fast and furious at the Olympic Games, with multiple six-match sessions per day.
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