Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Olympics and Paralympics
Juana Summers, NPR

The U.S. women’s rugby sevens team achieves a first — an Olympic medal

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
U.S. players react after the women's bronze medal rugby sevens match between USA and Australia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Tuesday.
U.S. players react after the women's bronze medal rugby sevens match between USA and Australia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Tuesday.
Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Images

NPR is in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. For more of our coverage from the games head to our latest updates.

The U.S. women are bringing home the country’s first medal in rugby sevens.

In a dramatic finish, the U.S. defeated Australia, 14-12 to win the bronze medal over the 2016 gold medalists. It was Alex Sedrick’s try and game-winning conversion on the final play that put the U.S. over the top in the final moments.

The team kicker wasn’t on the field when Sedrick scored, so she stepped up for the kick that gave the U.S. the bronze medal.

“I’m not a kicker by any means, I’m not even second third or fourth in line for that position. But I was the one on the field to take it, and luckily it went in,” Sedrick said.

There was an emotional display by the American players at the Stade de France after the win. They rushed onto the field, and Bruce Springsteen’s "Born in the U.S.A." boomed loudly in the stadium. On the field, Ilona Maher raised both hands overhead in victory.

“We wanted to do this to show what rugby could be in America,” Maher said after the medal ceremony. “We say in rugby a lot that we want to pass the jersey. You’re passing through the jersey, it’s not yours it’s the next person’s….I think today really made the jersey better so that other young girls can grow up wanting to play rugby, wanting to be professionals, wanting to live the life we live where we travel the world and go to the Olympics.”

Earlier in the day, the U.S. team lost to the defending Olympic champions New Zealand in the semifinal, 24-12. That set up a gold medal match between New Zealand and Canada. Ultimately, New Zealand took home the gold medal and Canada silver.

Copyright 2024, NPR