Pat McCutcheon was one of the last Olympians to be named when he was announced as a member of the Rugby Sevens squad heading to Rio.
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The 12 man team was announced on Thursday morning, making up the last of the Australian Olympic Team.
McCutcheon is thrilled to be picked to represent his country at the Olympics.
“It’s a massive honor to represent Australia at the highest level,” he said.
“To compete a an event like the Olympics is a special thing.”
McCutcheon is familiar with representing his country having captained the Rugby Sevens to a silver in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and playing for the Wallabies, he said there’s something different about an opportunity to play in the Olympics.
“Rugby has just been reintroduced into the Olympics. Last time it was played was 1924. So it was never really on the cards. But when the opportunity came, I jumped at it,” he told The Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
“Rugby has just been reintroduced into the Olympics. Last time it was played was 1924. So it was never really on the cards. But when the opportunity came, I jumped at it,”
- Pat McCutcheon
This bunch of union boys might have what it takes to bring home the gold for Australia, having placed fourth in the recent World Series.
Team mate and captain Ed Jenkins said this team is aiming for gold in Rio.
“A gold medal has been our ambition for a while now and that was reinforced at the start of the year when Friendy (coach Andy Friend) came in to take over the side. Looking at the team we have for Rio it will definitely be the strongest we have fielded all year,” he said.
Australian Olympic team boss Kitty Chiller said she’s confident Australia can bring him the 15 or 16 gold medals likely to be needed to make the top five.
"That's double the number of gold medals we won in London (2012). For any country to double the number of gold is a huge ask. I genuinely believe we can do it," Chiller said after naming the men's and women's rugby sevens squads on Thursday.
For those ignorant about rugby sevens as opposed to regular rugby union, McCutcheon explains it plain and simple.
“Seven a side instead of 15 a side, same field, same rules,” he said.
Keep up-to-date with The Narromine News and Trangie Advocate as we follow Pat’s adventure to Rio later this year.
Grace Ryan
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
