Notable Rugby Players Involved in The Olympics
A number of Olympians in other fields have also been notable rugby players, these include:
- Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics, was a rugby fan and referee of the first ever French championship rugby union final on 20 March 1892 between Racing Club de France and Stade Français.
- Jean Bouin, France and track events.
- Stan Harris
- Eric Liddell, Scotland and track events.
- Chris MacKintosh
- Heather Moyse, Canada and gold in Olympic bobsleigh.
- James Cecil Parke, Ireland and track events (also represented Ireland in cricket and golf, and as well as competing at Wimbledon and in the Davis Cup)
- Noel Purcell, Ireland and gold in Olympic water polo – the first Olympic internationalist to represent two countries, Great Britain and the Irish Free State.
- David Robertson (golfer)
- Jacques Rogge, Belgium international and current IOC president.
- Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera, Haitian rugby player for France who won gold for France at the tug of war.
- Attie van Heerden
- Danny Crates, who has carried the torch twice at the Olympics, and is a notable Paralympian, also plays competitive rugby.
- Kevin O'Flanagan, Ireland international. Represented Ireland on the International Olympic Committee
- Victor Costello, who competed for Ireland in the shot put at the 1992 Games in Barcelona before winning 39 caps for the Ireland rugby union team.
Read more about this topic: Rugby Union At The Summer Olympics
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