Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2021: Tokyo 2020 Sports Director Mikako Kotani is looking forward to welcoming international rugby back to Japan when the rugby sevens competition takes place at the Olympic Games.
This will be the second appearance of the seven-a-side format to be included in the Olympics after its successful debut in Rio 2016 and there will be 12 teams in both the men’s and women’s events.
Japan staged the Rugby World Cup for full 15-a-side national teams in 2019 and Tokyo 2020 hopes to regain the momentum.
Kotani, who is also Chair of the OCA Athletes’ Committee, said: “We had a successful test event at Tokyo Stadium in April and we are confident that we have an excellent venue for the players so that they will be able to show their best performances and inspire the world and connect the world together once more.
“We are excited to welcome an international rugby tournament back to Japan and we hope rugby’s ‘one-team spirit’ will touch the heart of people in Japan and in the world.”
The teams have been drawn into three pools of four teams.
In the men’s event, Rio 2016 Olympic champions Fiji and silver medal-winners Great Britain have been drawn in Pool B with Japan, who finished fourth in Rio. Asian qualification winners Korea will play New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in Pool A.
In the women’s event, Olympic champions Australia will play USA, Asian qualification winners China and hosts Japan.
The full draw is:
Men
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Korea.
Pool B: Fiji, Great Britain, Japan, Canada.
Pool C: South Africa, USA, Kenya, Ireland.
Women
Pool A: New Zealand, Russian Olympic Committee, Great Britain, Kenya.
Pool B: Canada, France, Fiji, Brazil.
Pool C: Japan, Australia, USA, China.
The men’s competition will take place from July 26-28, with the women’s tournament on July 29-31. All matches will be at Tokyo Stadium.