Naya Tapper, one of the renowned figures in U.S. rugby, is bidding farewell after participating in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. With the U.S. Women's Eagles sevens team, she has a promising chance to earn a medal - potentially even gold.
During her announcement of retirement, Tapper expressed that preparing for her "second Olympics as co-captain while also transitioning from sport" had been an intense experience. She aimed to cherish the remaining moments with her team while striving for a gold medal and ensuring future employment opportunities.
Life as an Olympic rugby athlete is filled with challenges, yet financial rewards are modest. Similar to many Americans, Tapper did not grow up playing rugby; she started as an All-American track star in high school before transitioning to the sport during her college years. She has played sevens for eight years and also participated in 15-a-side internationals, preparing now at age 29 for her second Olympic Games.
Tapper shared that their team had been undergoing thorough preparation before departing for a pre-Games camp in Tours. They incorporated high school boys' sevens teams into their training sessions to expose themselves to faster, stronger opponents and improve overall skill sets. This approach has enhanced their field knowledge and performance on both offense and defense.
Paris will be different from the previous Olympic Games due to COVID-19-related delays, as they will now have stadium crowds cheering for them. Tapper emphasized that this aspect adds an extra layer of excitement, with her family in attendance further inspiring her team's performance. The U.ranas aim to achieve gold medals and secure a strong position leading up to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Following her retirement, Tapper plans to continue working on the Naya Tapper Scholarship with OMBAC Wallabies Youth Rugby in San Diego, providing financial assistance to young rugby players. She selected several notable Eagles players for Paris, including Ilona Maher, Sammy Sullivan, Kristi Kirsche, Stephanie Rovetti (a crossover athlete from D1 basketball at BYU), and herself.
In the men's Olympic sevens team led by co-captain Kevon Williams, they face a challenging pool with opponents such as France, Fiji, and Uruguay. Despite their strong competition, including the formidable French player Antoine Dupont, who is considered one of the best in world rugby, Williams remains confident in his team's abilities to secure victory by capitalizing on opportunities during matches.
The sevens games are fast-paced, with outcomes often hinging on crucial moments and a little luck. Despite the differences between 15s and sevens play, several athletes have successfully transitioned from one game format to another, showcasing their versatility and adaptability in rugby.
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