The Antoine Dupont naysayers have made a valid point after his Olympic gold

France superstar Antoine Dupont became an Olympic gold medalist in rugby sevens as France defeated Fiji 28-7, and in Dupont fashion he scored a double at Stade de France.

The stunning success story in 7s came in a year where Dupont was playing 15s for Toulouse, before switching over late in the sevens' season to represent France enough times to be eligible for the Olympics.

With Dupont on the SVNS circuit, France capture the Los Angeles event and the Grand Final in Madrid in the final event of the series.

Having secured an Olympic gold, the incredible achievement adds to his long list of achievements, in the 15s game and now 7s, to build a resume worthy of the "GOAT" debate.

The 2021 World Player of the Year in men's 15s has now won four Top 14 titles, two European Cups, one Six Nations Grand Slam, one SVNS series and now one Olympic gold medal.

Dupont's supporters came out in force to end the greatest of all time debate, with the Olympic gold the cherry on top for one of the best athletes the game has ever seen.

Dupont is the best player of my lifetime, and I know I'm far from alone in thinking that. If he wins gold here, it's listed amongst his achievements when people have the GOAT debate for decades upon decades to come.— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) July 27, 2024

Not everyone is convince however, with many other 15s stars dominating in 7s making the feat "not unprecedented" while Dupont was a "cameo player" for his side.

The naysayers were able to raise a valid point in the debate over whether Dupont is the greatest of them all, and that is all his success has been in Europe.

Due to France's league-focused approach which sees the national stars absent from July tours, Dupont has never travelled to Australia, New Zealand or South Africa and won a Test match.

He made his Test debut on the 2017 tour of South Africa and came off the bench in the second Test. France lost the series 3-0.

In 2021 France travelled to Australia to face the Wallabies, Dupont did not travel and France lost the series 2-1.

In 2025 the FFR have indicated again he will not tour to New Zealand to face the All Blacks on home turf.

One of the definitive traits of greatness in sports is the ability to win away from home.

But never played, or won, a Test Match in South Africa or New Zealand (like the Irish have 😊). Don’t think he has ever been out of the Northern Hemisphere. 🤣— Theo Botoulas (@TheoBotoulas) July 27, 2024

Never plays outside Europe— Niel (@Niel76013379643) July 27, 2024

Nah he’s only highly rated in Europe
Done nothing of note against NZ or SA down under.
He’s decent - no doubt
But wouldn’t rate him best ever— JeeiJpn (@jeeijpn) July 27, 2024

If he does not tour in 2025 to New Zealand, Dupont's next meaningful visit in the southern hemisphere could be the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia where the No 9 could kill two birds with one stone.

The "missing piece" to some on Dupont's resume is the Rugby World Cup. France's best team "in a generation" were bundled out of their home World Cup at the quarter-final stage last year.

Dupont will be 29-years-old in 2027 and is likely to still be one of the best players in the world, and France will likely be a favoured contender again.