PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS: ANTOINE DUPONT’S GAME-CHANGING PERFORMANCE LEADS FRANCE TO FAIRYTALE GOLD AT HOME GAMES

As Edith Piaf’s iconic song “Non, je ne regrette rien” played through the Stade de France before the medal ceremony, Antoine Dupont had no regrets of his own.

Less than a year prior, the French rugby star transitioned to rugby sevens, much to the surprise and skepticism of many. Known for his prolific career in French rugby union and being named World Player of the Year in 2021, Dupont’s switch was seen as a gamble.

However, Dupont had a momentous opportunity at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Playing at home, he seized the chance to pursue Olympic gold, dedicating 2024 to rugby sevens and preparing for the Paris Games.

With expectations high and the weight of national pride on his shoulders, Dupont entered the tournament with confidence, experience, and star quality. Each mention of his name over the stadium speakers received the loudest cheers.

The final day of competition presented a script straight out of a fairytale at the Stade de France. First, a semi-final clash against South Africa, who had defeated France in their home Rugby World Cup in 2023.

Dupont entered the game as a substitute at halftime with the score tied. Despite an early second-half deficit, his leadership inspired the team to score 19 unanswered points, securing their place in the gold medal match.

In the final, Fiji, undefeated in Olympic men’s rugby sevens and having beaten France 19-12 in the pool stage, awaited. With nearly 70,000 fans cheering, everything seemed in France’s favor. However, Fiji took the lead within 90 seconds, momentarily silencing the home crowd.

Dupont, initially on the bench, stayed composed, preparing for his moment. France equalized before the break, and Dupont took center stage during the halftime huddle.

In just 21 seconds, Dupont made his mark. From the kickoff, he won the ball and charged down the line, driven by determination and energized by the enthusiastic French crowd. Dupont’s burst through the defense set up Aaron Grandidier Nkanang for a try, igniting the crowd’s jubilation.

As the Parisian sky cleared, Dupont and France found their rhythm and never looked back. Dupont stole the show with two exceptional tries within two minutes. His first try showcased a powerful run through Fiji’s defense, while his second, right at the end, secured gold by converting a line-out win into a decisive score.

France’s first gold medal at their home Games came in the most fitting way, in a sport deeply rooted in their culture, and at their national stadium. The victory was more poetic than any fan could have imagined, with Dupont as the hero of the day.

“It’s such a great honor to win this title, and I’m overwhelmed with emotions,” Dupont said post-match. “It’s an incredible achievement with these teammates. It’s the pinnacle of our efforts. I just want to share this with my teammates. We worked so hard, and this is the cherry on top.”

In both the semi-final and final, Dupont entered with the scores tied and led France to victory each time, becoming the standout performer.

His impact extended beyond these games, marking a significant moment in rugby sevens history. In less than a year, Dupont elevated a promising team to Olympic glory, and on French soil.

At the medal ceremony, Dupont received the loudest cheers, the longest handshake from the medal bearer, and the most enthusiastic ovation from the Stade de France crowd. He achieved what he set out to do, etching his name into Olympic history.

The fairytale was complete: France were the Olympic men’s rugby sevens champions, and Dupont had inspired a nation. How could there be any regrets?

From: Zeubla.com