While we used to see the likes of David Campese and Jonah Lomu togging out at the Hong Kong Sevens in the 90s, the shorter form of the game is now more of a brief stepping stone used by young players to get a taste of international rugby before they move to full-time 15-a-side.
They may be changing in the near future, however, with recent comments from Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola suggesting that there is now a very real possibility of rugby's best player, Antoine Dupont, togging out in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dupont's Olympic ambitions are not new, with the scrum-half professing his Olympic dream in 2022:
“It’s really something that motivates me. Just doing the Olympics, it’s so incredible, when you’re in front of your TV and you see all the events that follow one another, with this patriotic fervour. It’s so strong!”
However, Mola's words have turned what seemed like speculation into something a lot more serious.
Will See Antoine Dupont At The Olympics?
Take that @floresjeremy 🤙🏼🏄🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/D36ksbaHri
— 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗨𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗧 (@Dupont9A) June 21, 2023
READ HERE: Antoine Dupont Produced A Moment Of Genuine Sorcery Last Night For Toulouse
In an interview with Midi Olympique, Mola discussed Dupont's Olympic dream, and said that France's sevens coaches , Christophe Reigt and Jerome Daret, are onboard, as are the Top 14 Federation and Toulouse's president.
He also admitted that the move could see them be without their star player for a large portion, or the entirety, of next season.
"I understand that Antoine, at 26 and after three titles of champion of France, one of European champion, a grand slam, and I hope for a big World Cup, wants to do the Olympics in France," said Mola.
"We will have to think, at some point, about when he recovers.
"We are going to organise ourselves, but we will have to think, at some point, about recovering and regenerating. Physically, sevens is unique, it’s another sport.
“With Antoine, Christophe Reigt and Jérôme Daret, we discussed together. The Federation seems open [to the idea], the League and our president too.
“All the lights are green, but there are other details to settle which are not neutral since.
“A large part of the players’ salaries are provided by the clubs. On our side, we are about to live a half-season or a full season to do without him.”
SEE ALSO: Ronan O'Gara Has Classy Response After Backlash To Toulouse Comments
