Rugby union at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Rugby union was played at the
1920 Summer Olympics in
Antwerp. Two nations entered the rugby event - France and the United States. The French team were very much thought to be assured of the gold medal and came in as raging favourites in the event. However, the United States caused a massive shock, defeating France in the only game, eight points to nil.
The rugby union event at the 1920 games was unique, in that only two teams competed. However both Czechoslovakia and Romania had supposedly entered the event - but pulled out before the games commenced.
The United States team was the first rugby side to enter the games, whereas France had competed at one earlier, as well as having pulled out of another. The idea of sending an American side in the rugby event was thought of after a Cal-Berkeley tour to British Columbia went undefeated earlier in the year. The
United States Olympic Committee sanctioned the invitation, but did not provide funding. The California Rugby Union raised the appropriate money through a number of community fundraisers and events. The young American team was composed of mainly Stanford, Cal-Berkeley and Santa Clara footballers.
Since Czechoslovakia and Romania did not compete, only a single game was played to see the medal positions. The game between the United States and France was played at
Antwerp Stadium, in front of 50,000 people. The game was locked at zero-all at half time. The Americans went on to win eight points to nil, shocking the French as well as the rugby world.
*? United States
8–0 France
*
Rugby in the Olympics*
International Olympic Committee results database
