The buzz of excitement started in Paris with the unofficial opening of the rugby festivities, signaled by a victorious chime from a bell that once hung in Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Though the iconic Parisian landmark is still under restoration from the tragic fire of 2019, one of its bells found a temporary home behind the rugby posts at the Sevens.
On Wednesday night, Jefferson-Lee Joseph, Antoine Dupont’s teammate, had the honor of ringing it as France faced off against Uruguay to launch their Olympic campaign.
This event served as a thrilling prelude to the official opening ceremony on Friday, and it was clear from the start that the occasion was a hit.
The French fans were out in full force, their voices echoing chants of ‘Allez les Bleus’ and waving homemade banners, many of which were dedicated to their star scrum-half, Antoine Dupont.
Although Dupont has mainly played a pivotal role from the bench in his Sevens career, he was thrust into the spotlight for this match, bringing his big-game experience to the starting lineup.
Despite the excitement, the French team seemed a bit nervous in front of the packed 69,000-strong crowd, which included notable figures like Dan Carter and the Fijian Prime Minister.
A Tough Start and a Promising Finish
The French team’s first match against the USA ended in a draw, which was not ideal but not disastrous either.
The Americans, fresh from a lunch with rapper Snoop Dogg, managed to keep the game level thanks to a late try by Macrus Tupuola, despite Dupont’s impressive defensive efforts and creative attacking play.
With the tournament format allowing the top two teams from each group and the two best runners-up to progress, France’s qualification was still on track.
Meanwhile, New Zealand and Fiji demonstrated their strength with convincing wins, positioning themselves as strong gold medal contenders.
A Memorable Victory Over Uruguay
In their evening game against Uruguay, France secured a much-needed win in a closely contested match.
Antoine Dupont delivered a standout performance, scoring one of the tries of the day.
With a powerful run, he brushed off two defenders before sprinting to the try line like a force of nature.
As Dupont left the field, the crowd chanted his name, appreciating his pivotal contribution while the French team held on for their crucial victory.
A Unique Game Experience
During the break between sessions, some fans found themselves surprised by the stadium’s alcohol-free policy.
A Welshman remarked on the lack of pints available, only to discover that the closest option was £7 for a 0% beer.
Despite this, the excitement and enthusiasm for the games remained undiminished as Paris set the stage for an exhilarating rugby tournament.
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