Antoine Dupont inspires France to Olympic gold in Paris
NINE months on from their heartbreaking quarter-final loss in the World Cup to South Africa, Antoine Dupont inspired France's Sevens side to win Olympic gold at the Stade de France.
Dupont was devastated after France's 29-28 loss to eventual winners South Africa last October but the scrum-half's decision to miss this year's Six Nations in the hope of becoming an Olympic gold medallist paid off handsomely.
The Top 14 and Champions Cup winner with Toulouse was largely used as an impact substitute by head coach Jerome Daret, and he produced one of the most spectacular second-half performances in Sevens rugby history to down Fiji in the final.
Fiji silenced the capacity crowd with Joseva Talacolo's try but France hit back with a score by Jordan Joseph.
Dupont came off the bench and quickly raced down the wing to feed Aaron Grandidier before scoring a brace of tries to cement his place in French sporting legend.
South Africa secured bronze by beating Australia 26-19, New Zealand beat Ireland 17-7 to finish fifth, Argentina saw off USA 19-0 to take seventh, Kenya beat Samoa 10-5 in the ninth place final and Uruguay defeated Japan 21-10 to take 11th.
