Feb. 24, 2024 08:19 AM EST

Antoine Dupont Takes First Steps In His Bid To Help France Win Rugby Sevens At Paris Games

France's Antoine Dupont grabs United States' Maka Unufe during a Vancouver Sevens rugby match Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP) ETHAN CAIRNS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
France's Antoine Dupont grabs United States' Maka Unufe during a Vancouver Sevens rugby match Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
France's Antoine Dupont walks in the try zone after France's try against the United States during a Vancouver Sevens rugby match Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
France's Antoine Dupont runs onto the pitch during the team's Vancouver Sevens rugby match against the United States on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
France's Antoine Dupont walks in the try zone after France's try against the United States during a Vancouver Sevens rugby match Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
France's Antoine Dupont holds the ball during the team's Vancouver Sevens rugby match against the United States on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
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VANCOUVER, Canada (AP) — Standout scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has taken the first steps in his bid to help France win the rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics this summer.

Dupont came on midway through the second half in a 24-12 win against the United States and once again in a 40-7 win against Samoa on Friday night in Vancouver, which is hosting the fourth round of the men's and women's HSBC SVNS competition.

The 27-year-old Dupont is widely considered the world’s best rugby union player in the traditional 15-a-side format. He is a former world player of the year, three-time Six Nations player of the year, and was one of the stars at last year's World Cup in France, where he needed surgery for a facial fracture.

Dupont has taken time out from rugby union to adapt to the 7s format ahead of playing on home soil at the at the Paris Games from July 26-Aug. 11.

“(The Olympics) represent the Holy Grail of the sport, as simple as that," Dupont said in an interview with the French rugby federation earlier this month. "To be able to compete for a medal is already outstanding.”

While Dupont continues to play this weekend in Canada, Les Tricolores host Italy in the Six Nations tournament on Sunday.

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AP coverage of the Paris Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

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