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

Chile's Sebastian Berti, left, is tackled by Jamaica's Mark Phillips during an HSBC Canada Sevens semifinal 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

Kenya's Alvin Otieno, center, is tackled by Spain's Alberto Carmona, left, and Josep Serres during an 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

Kenya's Levy Amunga, left, and South Africa's Darren Adonis vie for the ball 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

Jagger Eaton, of the United States, crashes as he competes in men's street skateboarding during the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo on Sunday, July 25, 2021. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Social media stars: A glance at Olympians who went big

By Syd Fryer Aug. 05, 2021 03:14 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)
Fijians, Kiwis celebrate multiple medals in Olympic rugby 7s

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

New Zealand's Stacey Fluhler dives to score a try, in the women's rugby gold medal match between New Zealand and France 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

Taiwan's Wang Chi-Lin, left, and Lee Yang compete against China's Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen during their men's doubles gold medal Badminton match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Olympic Latest: Bencic wins tennis gold for Switzerland

Jul. 30, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

Cheta Emba of the United States, second right, comes under pressure from Australia's Charlotte Caslick, right, and Australia's Sharni Williams, 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

Ilona Maher, left, of the United States is chased by China's Yang Min during their women's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji upsets Canada, Black Ferns fend off Brits in women's 7s

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

Fiji fans cheer following Fiji's win over Argentina in their men's rugby sevens semifinal match 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

New Zealand players pose on the podium with their silver 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, left, of the United States and teammate Matai Leuta react after the U.S. team lost to Britain in 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

Madison Hughes of the U.S. is chased by Kenya's Collins Injera as he runs down the pitch to score a try, 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

Argentina's Santiago Mare soaks in an ice bath following a men's rugby sevens practice at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in Tokyo, Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
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, 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)
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