U.S. Men, Women Rugby Sevens Teams Qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics

The U.S. men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams earned spots in the 2016 Summer Olympics Games by winning first place at a tournament in Cary, North Carolina. The American men won their final 21-5 on Sunday against Canada, taking the automatic Olympic qualifying spot at the 2015 North American Caribbean Rugby Association Championships.

The American women advanced by beating Mexico 88-0 in the final of the two-day tournament, which included nine nations in the men’s competition and eight in the women’s event. The U.S. women had five shutouts in six games at the weekend tournament and outscored opponents 369-5. The seven-person version of rugby will make its Olympic debut at the Rio Games. It will be the first time since 1924 that any version of rugby has been included in an Olympics, and the first time women’s rugby has been played at the Summer Games.

Phelps and Lochte Competition Focuses Rio Olympics

Ryan Lochte recently said his competitions with Michael Phelps are the most awaited contests of sports. Ryan Lochte said he and Michael Phelps are one of the best rivals of sports while the later gives no importance to their meeting in Charlotte this weekend. The rivalry between the two has inspired the many swimmers. Lochte said it is one of the best comparisons of sports because of what Phelps has achieved and what he has done in many past years.

A record 22 medals including 18 gold in four Olympics have been won by Phelps while Lochte is just behind. Lochte becomes second all time male swimmers along with Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi with 11 medals including 5 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze. The Arena Pro Series will see the both challenging each other in 5 events this weekend including Sunday’s 200m IM of which Lochte is world record holder.

Although they are facing for the first time after the 2012 Olympics, both are focusing to return to Rio and not their meeting in North Carolina. Phelps said he cares who possesses the record of minimum time or who wins the Olympic gold instead of winning in Charlotte. Both the swimmers are training heavily. Coach of Lochte David Marsh said it is not important if you lose 10-15 games in the year but it matters if you get the final four and win the final game and it washes away what you lost in the past.