This Week in Olympic Sport History April 29 - May 5, Olympic Rugby XV competition at Paris 1924

Welcome to "This Week in Olympic Sports History" where Olympics.com remembers significant sports events from the past. This week, we will cover April 29 - May 5.

On This Day - May 4th, 1924

Although the vast majority of competitions at the Paris Olympics 1924 were held in July 1924, the rugby tournament already kicked off on May 4th, 1924. It would be the final appearance of Rugby XV at the Olympic level.

Pierre de Coubertin, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) until 1925, was instrumental in rugby's inclusion in Olympic sports. He was a huge fan of the sport and played a significant role in its introduction in schools across Paris. He even officiated the first French championship match in 1892.

All eyes were on the rugby tournament at the Olympic Games 1924 as the French hoped for a gold medal. While Great Britain did not take part in the competition, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand were unable to make the long journey to France. That left only three teams competing in the tournament: France, the USA and Romania, which ensured every participating nation a medal.

USA's Surprise Gold Victory Over Host France

In the tournament opener, France dominated newcomers Romania 61-3, scoring 13 tries.

The U.S. team, considered underdogs, defeated Romania 39-0, thus granting Romania its first-ever Olympic bronze medal. The final match, held at the Stade Colombes in Paris in front of approximately 50,000 fans, saw Team USA the US team stun the home crowd with their 17-3 victory and the gold medal.

The final marked the last appearance of rugby XV at the Olympics. The sport returned 90 years later at the Rio 2016 Olympics in a seven-a-side version.

Notable Olympic birthdays: April 29 - May 5

• Galina Kulakova (Soviet Union, Nordic Skiing, four-time Olympic Champion), born 29 April 1942
• Bob Bryan (USA, Tennis, Olympic Champion), born 29 April 1978
• Taoufik Makhloufi (Algeria, Athletics, Olympic Champion), born 29 April 1988
• Jonathan Toews (Canada, Ice Hockey, two-time Olympic Champion), born 29 April 1988
• Andre Agassi (USA, Tennis, Olympic Champion), born 29 April 1970

• Donald Schollander (USA, Swimming, seven-time Olympic Champion), born 30 April 1946
• Gunther Tiersch (German DR, Rowing, Olympic Champion), born 30 April 1954
• Archie Williams (USA, Athletics, Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1915
• Greta Andersen (Danemark, Swimming, Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1927
• Jennifer Botterill (Canada, Ice Hockey, three-time Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1979
• Alain Bernard (France, Swimming, two-time Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1983
• Tania Lamarca (Spain, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1980
• Luis Scola (Argentina, Basketball, Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1980
• Yun Mi-jin (South Korea, Archery, three-time Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1983
• Yvonne van Gennip (Netherlands, Speed skating, three-time Olympic Champion), born 1 May 1964

• Aileen Riggin (USA, Swimming, Olympic Champion), born 2 May 1906
• Jill Savery (USA, Swimming, Olympic Champion), born 2 May 1972
• Francesco Friedrich (Germany, Bobsled, four-time Olympic Champion), born 2 May 1990
• Thomas Dean (UK, Swimming, two-time Olympic Champion), born 2 May 2000
• Allen Wells (UK, Athletics, Olympic Champion), born 3 May 1952
• Gillian Rolton (Australia, Equestrian, two-time Olympic Champion), born 3 May 1956
• Ezequiel Lavezzi (Argentina, Football, Olympic Champion), born 3 May 1985
• Pascual Perez (Argentina, Boxing, Olympic Champion), born 4 May 1926
• Vera Caslavska (Czech Republic, Artistic Gymnastics, seven-time Olympic champion), born 3 May 1942

• Dawn Staley (USA, Basketball, three-time Olympic Champion), born 4 May 1970
• Gretchen Ulion (USA, Ice Hockey, Olympic Champion), born 4 May 1972
• Brianne Jenner (Canada, Ice Hockey, two-time Olympic Champion), born 4 May 1991
• Charles Jewtraw (USA, Speed Skating, Olympic Champion), born 5 May 1900
• Alexander Ragulin (USSR, Ice Hockey, three-time Olympic Champion), born 5 May 1941
• Heike Henkel (Germany, Athletics, Olympic Champion), born 5 May 1964
• Tiffany Roberts (USA, Football, Olympic Champion), born 5 May 1977
• Nathan Chen (USA, Figure Skating, Olympic Champion), born 5 May 1999
• Raul Jimenez (Mexico, Football, Olympic Champion), born 5 May 1991
• Barbara Wagner (Canada, Figure Skating, Olympic Champion), born 5 May 1938

Quote of the week - Donald Schollander

Often overshadowed by names like Michael Phelps or Katie Ledecky, Donald Schollander, born on April 30, 1946, remains one of America's greatest swimmers and a true pioneer in the sport.

As a teenager from Charlotte, he led his Lake Oswego High School to the Oregon state championship as a freshman. By 16, he was already a multi-time national champion, breaking numerous U.S. and world freestyle records in the early 1960s, particularly excelling at the 200 meters.

He became the first to swim 200 metres in less than 2 minutes, clearly establishing himself as the face of American swimming. That identity was solidified at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 1964.

Seven gold and one Silver in two Olympic Participation

Schollander made history at Tokyo 964 despite his favourite event, the 200 meters, not being on the program. He became the first swimmer to win four gold medals at a single Olympic Games, triumphing in the 100 and 400-meter freestyles and both relays and setting world records in all but the 100 meters.

At Mexico 1968, the American secured a silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle and another gold as part of the 4x200-meter relay team. Despite missing out on the 100 and 400-meter events, he earned his fifth gold in the relay and added a silver in the 200-meter freestyle.

In recognition of his remarkable achievements, Schollander was among the inaugural inductees into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983.

Don't forget to visit Olympics.com next week to explore more sports and learn about the Olympic history.