World Championship for Rugby Sevens Serves as Trial Run for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games
Rolling with the Roaring Rugby Sevens
In the heart of Dignity Health Sports Park, a rowdy bunch of blokes huddled together, hoisting drinks, swapping tales, and reveling in the final day of the Rugby Sevens World Championship. These die-hard fans hailed from Cornwall, England, a journey of 5,408 miles to get a taste of the sevens action.
Clad in custom button-ups and matching shorts, the Cornish crew puffed out their chests to show off their badges of honor - emblems symbolizing their roots. Emblems that included the Union Jack, Cornish mining engine houses, and scones. Their famed culinary debate - jam first, then cream, cream first, then jam - echoed through the crowd, much like their persistent rivalry with their neighbors from Devon.
This spontaneous excursion was far from planned. A series of phone calls between seven childhood friends, each depending on securing approval from their better halves, brought them together. Unfortunately, their plans didn't pan out with the trademark California sunshine, but the wet weather couldn't dampen their spirits.
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"Sevens are all-day entertainment," said Jason Penprase, savoring the electrifying atmosphere and breakneck speed of the sport. "It's great to see nations participating in rugby that you wouldn't usually associate with. It's a worldwide sport."
The vibrant fusion of a European music festival, Halloween, and an NFL Sunday, rugby sevens drew fans from distant shores, like New Zealand. The phenomenon was a diverse melting pot of cultures, providing a tantalizing sneak peek of what's to come when rugby takes center stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
This year's tournament, where New Zealand took home the women's title and South Africa the men's crown, marked the first time the competition was held on American soil. The event not only served as an Olympic warm-up for spectators but also experience for the players.
For U.S. women's national player Nia Toliver, the chance to compete in her hometown near South Central L.A. allowed her family and friends to witness her journey firsthand.
"Playing rugby in Japan was an amazing experience, but my loved ones couldn't be there," Toliver said. "But here, it's wonderful to have them in the stands and be a part of this moment."
Toliver and her teammates are determined to elevate the profile of rugby sevens in the U.S., building on the success of their bronze-medal run at the Paris Olympics. The prospect of playing at the 2028 Games in her hometown fills her with excitement.
"I envision the crowd size to be massive," Toliver grinned. "The energy and excitement in Paris were incredible. I'm picturing an even larger turnout here."
Competing for a bronze against Canada, the U.S. fell short, leaving Toliver and her teammates hungry for a taste of the medal podium. Toliver's stellar performance earned her the Rookie of the Year award post-season, and she could be a key figure in the national team's charge for gold in 2028.
"To have the Olympics a stone's throw away from my home - it's a dream come true," Toliver beamed.
Standing alongside Kenya's women's captain, Grace Adhiambo Okulu, fans clamored for selfies and autographs. A testament to the passion and enthusiasm of Kenyan fans, hundreds of drum-wielding supporters cheered on their national team.
"Being here, surrounded by so many people from all over the world, it's just amazing," Okulu said. "It doesn't matter if you're Kenyan or not - we're all here for rugby."
Criticism rolled in, with some sharing their struggles navigating L.A. and its limited public transit options. Others pointed out issues with the setup, which featured two pitches - one inside the stadium and another on its outskirts. However, over 27,000 fans flocked to the stadium over the weekend, making for an electric atmosphere.
As fans left the tournament, their eyes were already turned towards the 2028 Games. For the Cornishmen, three years may witness a return flight to LAX, fingers crossed for a sunnier stay.
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- The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will feature Dodger Stadium and Alamitos Beach as two of ten new venues, setting the stage for a global event that includes sports like rugby.
- LA28's inclusion of rugby sevens in the Olympic Games provides an opportunity for the U.S. women's national rugby team, such as Nia Toliver, to showcase their skills in front of a hometown crowd.
- The diverse crowd at the Rugby Sevens World Championship in Los Angeles will serve as a tantalizing sneak peek of the cultural fusion expected at the 2028 Olympics, which includes fans traveling from distant shores, such as New Zealand and Kenya.
- As rugby is played across cultures worldwide, the Cornish rugby fans, who traveled from England to attend the World Championship, may return for the 2028 Olympics, hoping for a warmer and sunnier stay in Los Angeles.
