Antoine Dupont, a prominent figure in rugby XV, recently embarked on his foray into rugby sevens with the French Olympic team, signaling the commencement of his preparations for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Despite his status as a newcomer to the seven-a-side game, Dupont received a warm welcome from his teammates, complete with an informal initiation ritual.

During his initial training session at Marcoussis, Dupont underwent a series of burpees amidst the camaraderie of his new comrades. Despite the challenge, he displayed adeptness in adapting to the new environment and maintained a positive attitude throughout the process.

While the training camp primarily aimed to acquaint Dupont with the discipline and acclimate him to the French team, he had to curtail his participation in order to prepare for an upcoming match with his club, Stade Toulousain, against LOU on Saturday evening.

Regrettably, this schedule conflict means that Dupont will not be able to accompany the team to Perth, Australia for the first tournament of the year in January. Instead, he will focus on readying himself for the forthcoming tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles in February and March, respectively. Due to the shortened preparation time with the French rugby sevens team, they face a challenge as they gear up for the Olympic tournament in July.

Despite the time constraints, it is anticipated that Dupont will maximize the training opportunities in Singapore and Madrid in May and June, just prior to the Olympics. These pivotal tournaments will serve as a final opportunity for him to refine his skills before the highly anticipated Olympic event.

Considering these developments, it is evident that Antoine Dupont’s transition to the world of rugby sevens has only just commenced, and his journey to the Olympics is already rife with challenges and excitement. With his talent and determination, he is poised to make a substantial impact as he embarks on this new chapter in his sporting career.