Victory at this tournament would mean the Ireland Sevens side earn a spot at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The New Zealand native chose an experienced squad and two uncapped players around the squad for an extended period.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Eddy noted the importance of experience for an event like the Olympic repechage.

“They’ve been part of this program for a number of years – they know what these sorts of tournaments are like and how important it is to make sure you manage each game but also perform and win each game,” said Eddy.

The Sevens head coach added that the side’s experience of missing out before and bouncing back will prove important.

#Ireland7s

"It would be fantastic for the IRFU and for Irish Rugby in general to have a team qualify for the Olympics. We'll be doing our very best."

All eyes on Monaco for the #IreM7s as they chase a ticket to Tokyo #ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/LJ7F8PwSVL

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 12, 2021

Eddy also spoke about the threats that his side faces in Monaco this weekend seeking Olympic qualification.

The Ireland boss singled out the teams in the competition that have World Series experience.

“Samoa are always a challenge.

“Teams on the other side of the draw – Uganda, Chile. Hong Kong, you know we played Hong Kong to qualify for the World Series and that’s not an easy game either, but those sort of teams are always going to provide a good challenge.”

France was also mentioned in the list.

The French are the other European side involved in the 10-strong tournament and Ireland has had some close games with them in recent years.

The most recent match resulted in a 19-12 defeat for the Irish side in July 2019.

Eddy says that if a game against France occurs, his side must be more “clinical” than they were in their last meeting.

It will be the first time an Irish rugby side will be at the Olympics if they are successful.

Eddy thinks that it is a great opportunity to grow the game of rugby on the island.

“[It would be] a huge achievement to have an Irish rugby team representing their country at the Olympic games.

“It will give the 7s program enormous exposure but also I think it will great for the game of rugby in Ireland to have your rugby team representing their country at the Olympic games.

“The Olympic games is the pinnacle of [sports]”

The Monaco Repechage begins on June 19^th with Ireland facing Zimbabwe in their opener.

To see the squad and Irish fixtures for the tournament, click here.

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have added more sports and included more mix gendered events in this year’s roster.

Change is nothing new to the Olympics as the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro had the inclusion of golf and seven aside rugby.

This year will see the return of softball and baseball as well as the completely new karate, surfing, sport climbing and skateboarding taking place.

Wrestling was meant to be discontinued at the Olympics, but the IOC returned the sport in September 2013.

Although there is an increase in 33 events, the number of competitors at this year’s Olympics is expected to decrease by 150 people.

Five new sports

Baseball and softball originated in the United States and last appeared at the Olympics in Beijing 2008. Six national teams will compete with Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and the United States having qualified already.

Karate is a martial art originally from the Ryukyu Kingdom of Japan that will debut at the games in August.

Skateboarding is an urban action sport from the United States with stars like Chris Joslin and Jenn Soto competing.

Sport climbing is another action sport that finds the best athlete at three formats: speed climbing, lead climbing and bouldering.

Lastly, surfing is s water sport that will debut on the Pacific coasts of Japan this year.

New events in Tokyo 2020

Archery: Mixed team event.

Athletics: Mixed 4x400m relay.

Baseball: Men only.

Basketball: 3 aside matches, men and women.

Cycling: The Madison for men and women, BMX freestyle for men and women.

Fencing: Women’s team Foil, men’s team sabre.

Judo: Mixed team event.

Karate: Kumite, three weight classes for men and women, Kata for men and women.

Skateboarding: Park for men and women, Street for men and women.

Softball: Women only.

Sport Climbing: Men and Women.

Surfing: Men and Women.

Swimming: Women’s 1500m freestyle, men’s 800m freestyle, mixed 4x100m medley relay.

Table Tennis: Mixed doubles

Triathlon: Mixed team relay

Events removed from Tokyo 2020

Weightlifting: One less men’s class

The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics is set to start on Friday the 23^rd of July.

The post All the new sports and events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

In a thrilling final fleet race at the 49er Olympic Qualifier in Lanzarote, the Irishmen qualified for Tokyo with a race to spare.

Dickson from Howth Yacht Club and Waddilove of Skerries Sailing Club faced a threat from the Belgian crew. The Belgians sixth place finish was enough to assure the Irish boat of a higher overall standing. They were then unbeatable for the final nation place at Tokyo.

James O’Callaghan, Irish Sailing Performance Directed commented:

“The whole team have all worked really hard preparing for the Tokyo Olympics and qualifying today is a really important step, and a milestone for Rob and Seán. The result is proof positive of our sailing programme supported by Sport Ireland – demonstrates what is possible when you invest and plan long-term. In addition, the Irish Sailing Foundation funded the Performance HQ which played a vital role in preparing the team for today. Qualification has given the whole team a lift and it’s some good news for our fantastic support base at home in Ireland”.

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Inclusion of the marathon medal presentations in the Closing Ceremony will cap the 10-day athletics programme unveiled today, which follows the timetable previously announced for the 32nd Summer Olympic Games prior to their postponement in March.

The programme commences on Friday 30 July, 2021 with the opening round of the men’s 3000m steeplechase and concludes on the final day of the Games, Sunday 8 August, with the men’s marathon in Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. In between, competition will be spread over 16 sessions at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.

Athletics figures prominently in both of the Games’ ‘Super Saturdays’, with three finals – the men’s discus throw, women’s 100m and the inaugural mixed 4x400m relay – scheduled for 31 August.

Another seven athletics titles will be decided on Saturday 7 August, among 34 event finals scheduled for that day, the highest single day number during the Games. ‘Golden Sunday’ on 31 July, will include 25 medal events in all, capped by the men’s 100m final.

As announced in October, Sapporo will host the marathons and race walks as part of a wide range of measures taken by Tokyo 2020 organisers in consultation with the IOC and international federations to mitigate the effects of the high temperatures which may occur in Tokyo.

The qualification principles remain unchanged with athletes able to qualify through entry standards and then the World Athletics World Rankings.

Athletes who have already met the entry standard since the start of the qualification period in 2019 remain qualified and will be eligible for selection by their respective Member Federations and National Olympic Committees, together with the other athletes who will qualify within the extended qualification period.

Due to the uneven training and competition opportunities around the world during the coronavirus pandemic, World Athletics announced on 7 April that the qualification period (for all events) was suspended from 6 April to 30 November 2020.

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