When rugby last appeared on the Olympic programme in 1924, the United States took home the gold medal and Olympic rugby went into hibernation for almost a century – until now. For 2016, rugby is back on the Olympic programme, reworked from the traditional 15-a-side game to a seven-a-side version. And – for the first time in the history of the Games – women’s teams will have the opportunity to compete in the sport.

This weekend the nations of North America and the Caribbean will fight for a chance to be part of this historic sporting event. The North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Sevens Championship 2015 takes place this Saturday and Sunday (13-14 June) in North Carolina (USA), and features competitions for both men and women. The winning teams in each category will go home with a spot at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.  

As the favourites in both the male and female divisions, the United States stands a strong chance of moving forward in its quest to maintain Olympic glory, after frustrating results at last month’s World Series saw both teams pipped at the post. The women’s team just missed out on the fourth and final Olympic spot on offer when Great Britain defeated them in the fight for bronze. The men also came close to qualifying, finishing in fifth – just two places short of an Olympic ticket.

This time the USA's men will be up against teams from Barbados, the Bahamas, Canada, Guyana, the Cayman Islands, St. Vincent, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. The women will face teams from the same countries, minus Canada (who have already qualified) and St. Vincent, who have declined to take part.

To date, half of the rugby sevens vacancies at Rio 2016 have already been handed out. Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Great Britain and New Zealand have guaranteed their spots in the women's tournament, while South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Great Britain, Fiji and New Zealand have secured places for the men.

Four other continental championships (in Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania) are still to come later this year. Those teams who don’t qualify in the regional rounds will have a last chance to make it to the Games at the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held in 2016.

Qualifying for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a continual process and the final places will only be confirmed in July 2016 (for the Olympic Games) and August 2016 (for the Paralympic Games). Places are recommended by national federations or the sporting organisations of each country and its respective National Olympic Committee or National Paralympic Committee, who will decide the final places.