Rugby union
FILE - New Zealand All Blacks winger Charles Piutau runs down field during a rugby test match against Argentina in Christchurch, New Zealand, on July 17, 2015. World Rugby has relaxed its eligibility rules to allow players to switch countries as of January. The governing body made the announcement Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, in what it described as a “landmark" change. International players such as England's Billy and Mako Vunipola could represent Tonga, as could New Zealand's Charles Piutau, who won the last of his 17 caps in 2015, making him eligible to switch country allegiance next year. (AP Photo/SNPA, Ross Setford)
World Rugby to allow players to switch national teams

Nov. 24, 2021 02:44 PM EST

Spain's Mana Williams, left, is tackled by Mexico's Ricardo Ancira during an HSBC Canada Sevens quarterfinal rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
South Africa wins Edmonton Sevens and men's series title

Sep. 26, 2021 08:22 PM EDT

Canada's Alysha Corrigan, front left, passes the ball as Britain's Megan Jones grabs her during a women's HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
South Africa close in on Series title at Edmonton Sevens

Sep. 25, 2021 09:21 PM EDT

United States' Martin Iosefo (12) vies for the ball against Canada's Andrew Coe, right, and Josiah Morra, back, during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
US, South Africa through to final 8 at Vancouver Sevens

Sep. 18, 2021 10:53 PM EDT

Ilona Maher of the United States is tackled by Britain's Helena Rowland in their women's rugby sevens quarterfinal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Social media stars: A glance at Olympians who went big

By Syd Fryer Aug. 05, 2021 03:14 AM EDT

United States players jog out onto the pitch at the start of their women's rugby sevens 5-8 placing match against China at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fijians, Kiwis celebrate multiple medals in Olympic rugby 7s

By John Pye Aug. 01, 2021 01:24 AM EDT

Fiji players huddle up at the start of their women's rugby sevens semifinal match against New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
New Zealand beats France to clinch gold in women's rugby 7s

By John Pye Jul. 30, 2021 11:48 PM EDT

New Zealand's Tyla Nathan-Wong raises her fists as her team celebrates defeating France in the women's rugby gold medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Olympic Latest: Bencic wins tennis gold for Switzerland

Jul. 30, 2021 09:08 PM EDT

China's Wang Wanyu, center, trailed by teammates Chen Keyi, right, and Yang Feifei, runs on her way to score a try in their women's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Aussies, US and Canada out; NZ survives Day 2 in rugby 7s

By John Pye Jul. 30, 2021 12:46 AM EDT

Australia's Maddison Levi, right, collides with Japan's Miyu Shirako in their women's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Japan's Miyu Shirako
Fiji upsets Canada, Black Ferns fend off Brits in women's 7s

By John Pye Jul. 28, 2021 11:49 PM EDT

Fiji players huddle up on the pitch after winning their men's rugby sevens gold medal match against New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
COVID-hit Fiji celebrates Olympic rugby sevens gold

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 28, 2021 06:48 PM EDT

Sarah Hirini and David Nyika, of New Zealand, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New Zealand Black Ferns aiming to avenge Rio loss to Aussies

By John Pye Jul. 28, 2021 02:22 AM EDT

Member's of Fiji's team and staff hold a national flag, as they pose with their gold medals in men's rugby sevens at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji beats New Zealand to clinch back-to-back Olympic titles

By John Pye Jul. 27, 2021 11:38 PM EDT

Madison Hughes, center, of the United States greets Britain's Tom Bowen, left, and Alex Davis after the U.S. team lost to Britain during their men's rugby sevens quarterfinal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
In the market for a medal, US rugby 7s finish just short

By John Pye Jul. 27, 2021 07:40 PM EDT

Argentina players, including Argentina's Santiago Mare, right, embrace as they celebrate defeating South Africa in their men's rugby sevens quarterfinal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji, Britain into semifinals, Argentina upsets South Africa

By John Pye Jul. 26, 2021 11:46 PM EDT

The Irish team walks off the pitch after being defeated by South Africa in their men's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
New Zealand unscathed; Fiji, Britain prepare for Rio rematch

By John Pye Jul. 25, 2021 09:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Fiji rugby players show off their gold medal after defeating Britain in the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Rugby sevens stars on a mission to elevate Fiji, again

By John Pye Jul. 25, 2021 04:09 AM EDT

Mike Friday, the coach of the U.S. rugby sevens team walks on the field during a training session at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
The opposite of distancing; rugby 7s set for kickoff

By John Pye Jul. 24, 2021 10:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Fiji rugby players show off their gold medal after defeating Britain in the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 07, 2021 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Viliame Mata of Fiji evades a tackle during the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Faster, brighter: Olympics a 'game changer' for rugby sevens

By John Pye Jul. 07, 2021 01:27 AM EDT