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| Alex Sedrick ran the length of the pitch to tie the score against the Australian team. |
When Alex Sedrick outran Australian defenders for 95 meters for a game-tying try, she didn't know about the $4-million being gifted to USA women's rugby.
In what will go down as a highlight moment from these Olympic Games Paris 2024, Team USA dramatically grabbed the bronze medal in women’s rugby with a jaw-dropping late try by Samoan American Alex “Spiff” Sedrick, a first-time Olympian, in the final seconds of the game to beat Australia 14-12.
The historic win also prompted businesswoman and sports team owner Michele Kang to donate $4 million over four years to USA Rugby to grow the women's game for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“We are stunned and beyond grateful for this transformative gift from Michele to advance USA Women’s Rugby,” said Bill Goren, Chief Executive Officer at USA Rugby.
In the second half, Australia had several good stretches of possession but Team USA’s defense remained organized and held their line. Australia’s Levi was able to slip through to score her second try of the game to make it 7-12 and what felt like the game-winning points needed for the medal. But a missed conversion from the Australians set up Sedrick’s heroics only moments later.
With only 30 seconds on the clock at the restart, all seemed lost for Team USA with the Aussies on the verge of celebration. Then came Sedrick's heroics and history was made.
In what will go down as a highlight moment from these Olympic Games Paris 2024, Team USA dramatically grabbed the bronze medal in women’s rugby with a jaw-dropping late try by Samoan American Alex “Spiff” Sedrick, a first-time Olympian, in the final seconds of the game to beat Australia 14-12.
The 26-year old Sedrick isn the usual kicker for the United States, but her coaches told her pregame to be prepared to fill in based on potential substitutions in the bronze-medal match, ESPN reported. She reportedly shanked her two practice kicks but when it counted, she came through.
FYI: Follow all the AANHPI athletes at the Paris Olympics.The third-place finish is the first medal in 7s for the U.S., with the last time the Americans brought home hardware in the sport was in 1924 when the men’s team won gold in 15s.
The historic win also prompted businesswoman and sports team owner Michele Kang to donate $4 million over four years to USA Rugby to grow the women's game for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and London City Lionesses women’s soccer clubs. Kang, who is dedicated to the advancement of women’s sports through Kynisca Sports International, the first global, female-owned, multi-club organization in women’s football, will gift $4 million over the course of four years to the USA Women’s Rugby Sevens team as it looks to grow the sport and provide improved resources to its players and coaching staff in anticipation of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The donation comes on the heels of a historic run for the team in the Paris Olympics. After an impressive win over Great Britain on Monday, the United States defeated Australia in the Bronze Medal Match on Tuesday evening, securing the first Olympic medal for the United States rugby sevens across both the men's and women's competitions.
“2024 has been a banner year for women’s sports with record-breaking attendance and viewership, and women’s rugby is no exception,” said Kang.
The donation comes on the heels of a historic run for the team in the Paris Olympics. After an impressive win over Great Britain on Monday, the United States defeated Australia in the Bronze Medal Match on Tuesday evening, securing the first Olympic medal for the United States rugby sevens across both the men's and women's competitions.
“2024 has been a banner year for women’s sports with record-breaking attendance and viewership, and women’s rugby is no exception,” said Kang.
“This Eagles team, led by players like Ilona Maher and co-captains Lauren Doyle and Naya Tapper, has captivated millions of new fans, bringing unprecedented attention to the sport. I am so happy to support these outstanding athletes to realize their dream in capturing the gold in Los Angeles in 2028. That work starts now. As corporate sponsors and broadcast networks increasingly see the value and enthusiasm for women’s sports, now is the moment to unlock the full potential of these incredible female athletes and inspire generations to come.”
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| Michelle Kang, left, and US rugby star Ilona Maher. |
“This will allow us to supercharge the progression of this program as we build to climb the podium in 2028 with Gold Medal aspirations in Los Angeles. This increase in support will ensure we can deploy the resources to the right places to win when it matters the most, inspiring a nation of rugby players and solidifying our place on the world stage.”
Kang is the founder and CEO of Cognosante, a medical technology company. As the first woman of color to own a National Women's Soccer League team, the Washington Spirit, and the majority owner of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and London City Lionesses, Kang has set new standards in women's sports.
Kang also announced the creation of the Kynisca Innovation Hub, a nonprofit organization seeded with a $50 million philanthropic contribution from Kang, which aims to revolutionize training methods and unlock athletic potential for all female athletes, through research, education and innovation.
In the second half, Australia had several good stretches of possession but Team USA’s defense remained organized and held their line. Australia’s Levi was able to slip through to score her second try of the game to make it 7-12 and what felt like the game-winning points needed for the medal. But a missed conversion from the Australians set up Sedrick’s heroics only moments later.
With only 30 seconds on the clock at the restart, all seemed lost for Team USA with the Aussies on the verge of celebration. Then came Sedrick's heroics and history was made.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge
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