Antoine Dupont: France captain willing to make 'sacrifices' to fulfil Paris Olympics dream

Antoine Dupont playing for FranceGetty Images

Antoine Dupont has made 52 appearances for France

France captain Antoine Dupont has vowed to make "sacrifices" in pursuit of his dream of playing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Dupont, 27, captained France in a home World Cup quarter-final defeat in the XVs game in October, but will focus on the World Rugby Sevens Series in 2024.

He won the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam but is set to miss next year's edition to prepare for the Olympics.

"Competing for an Olympic medal is really motivating," Dupont told Canal+.

Speaking after being named the Top 14's player of the season he added: "It's been a while that discussions have been under way for me to be made available for this [Olympic] team.

"We'll have to adjust things. I won't be able to play all the matches every weekend until the end of the season. Sacrifices will have to be made to be able to spend time with the team."

The scrum-half, named player of the Six Nations in 2020, 2022 and 2023, told French media last year he has a "desire" to participate at the Olympics.

The Toulouse player will join the sevens squad in January before tournaments in Canada and Los Angeles.

Dupont's most recent appearance for France was in a 28-29 quarter-final defeat by eventual champions South Africa at the World Cup last month.

France have automatically qualified for the 2024 Olympics as they are the host nation.

Meanwhile, former Australia captain Michael Hooper announced last week he has made the switch to sevens.

"I'm extremely motivated by the challenge of playing sevens and trying to earn my way into this team," said Hooper.

The 32-year-old, who has played 125 Tests, was left out of the international squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The 2024 Six Nations takes place 2 February to 6 March, before the Paris Olympics from 26 July to 11 August.

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