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Rugby Union - once a discontinued Olympic sport

Rugby was played at the Olympics in the years 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924, and after a long wait it was voted back onto the Olympic program for the 2016 Games. Rugby has been introduced back onto the program as the fast-paced sevens version of the game. See about Rugby 7s at the Olympics.

1908 Olympic Games Rugby Match (image source: State Library of NSW)

At the 1900 Paris Games, rugby drew the largest single crowd for any sport, in a match between England and France, won by France 27-8. It was attended by 6,000 spectators, with 4,389 paying for their entry. It certainly was not one of the most popular sports in terms of teams participating, with only two teams competing in 1908 and 1920.

Notable Athletes

It is believed that the first black athlete to compete at the Olympics was Constantin Henriquez, competing in rugby for France in 1900. As that team won, he is also the first black athlete to win a gold medal.
A member of the 1920 USA team, Morris Kirksey, also won a silver in the 100m, and gold in the 4x100m relay.
A member of the Australian team in 1908, Australian Daniel Carroll, won gold, then repeated this feat winning gold playing in the USA team in 1920.