Olympics: Team GB finish well at Paris 2024

on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 28 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby

The women’s competition has been incredibly well attended in the opening days of the 33^rd Olympiad, with over 65,000 daily fans watching some scintillating sevens rugby in France’s national stadium.

Scotland’s representative in the Team GB squad was Lisa Thomson, who appeared at a second Games having been involved in Tokyo’s delayed event three years ago.

Thomson, who has won 60 caps for Scotland Women, featured in all six matches in Paris: pool stage encounters with Ireland, Australia and South Africa; a quarter-final loss to USA; and subsequent placing fixtures against China and then Ireland once more.

She told Scottish Rugby: “It was an incredible experience playing in a packed out Stade de France. We were disappointed with the result but proud to represent Team GB, and Scotland, on the world stage. Hopefully we have inspired the nation and can continue to grow the game.”

Pictured: Lisa Thomson in action on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 28 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Team GB’s women’s contingent were coached by Ciaran Beattie, who praised his charges after their efforts at Stade de France, saying: “The thing that hit me was 70,000 people sitting in their seats going wild for women’s rugby, it’s been a colossal stage. Hopefully it’s showcased women’s sevens and for us, to swing a punch in that quarter-final [against USA], we were in with a shout.

“But that’s sevens and the beauty of it, it’s tough. We don’t feel we were far away from medalling here, but it’s now about making sure we’ve a better chance going to Los Angeles in four years.

“I’m immensely proud of everyone involved and to be part of something probably bigger than all of us has been amazing.”

Scotland were also represented on the Olympic stage by Sean Lamont and Scott Riddell, who were part of Beattie’s backroom unit, and Finlay Brown, who was on the match officiating roster for the tournament.

The medal positions in the Women’s Sevens finished as follows: Gold went to New Zealand, who retained their title from Tokyo with victory over silver medal-winners Canada. USA took bronze ahead of Australia.