A silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris marks a high point in the international career of Olivia Johanna Mary Apps. Born in Toronto in 1998, she has emerged as a central figure for Canada, competing across both rugby union and sevens formats while captaining the national sevens side through high-stakes global tournaments.
Early Development and Education
Raised in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Apps began her journey into competitive sports at age 15. Her introduction to rugby occurred during her Grade 10 year in Lindsay. Beyond her athletic training, she pursued higher education at Queen's University. At seven years old, she was diagnosed with alopecia universalis, a condition that has been part of her personal history since childhood.
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Apps gained early experience at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where the Canadian team secured a fourth-place finish. She served as an alternate for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics before assuming the captaincy of the Canada Women's Sevens team in September 2021. She led the squad to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics during a tournament at Starlight Stadium in August 2023. At the Paris Games, the team successfully rallied from a 12-point deficit against Australia in the semi-finals to reach the final, eventually taking silver. Her performance during this period earned her a spot on the World Rugby Women's Sevens Dream Team of the Year in November 2024.
Transition to Fifteens
The transition to rugby union saw her make a test debut on 8 July 2023 against New Zealand in Ottawa. She was subsequently named to the squad for the 2025 Pacific Four Series and the 2025 Rugby World Cup. In the latter tournament, Canada played England in the final before a record-breaking crowd of 82,000 spectators at Allianz Stadium, securing a silver medal. Following the conclusion of the World Cup, she signed with the professional club Saracens. Playing alongside teammates such as Sophie de Goede and Alysha Corrigan, she helped the club reach a playoff berth and was honored as the Player of the Season.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 December 1998, Toronto, Canada
- Education: Queen's University
- Primary Sports: Rugby union, Rugby sevens
- Olympic Achievement: Silver medal, Paris 2024
- Club: Saracens
- Parents: Alfred Apps and Danielle French
Questions readers ask
What is the highest Olympic honor achieved by Olivia Apps?
She won a silver medal with the Canadian women's sevens team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
When did Olivia Apps begin playing rugby?
She was introduced to the sport in Grade 10 in Lindsay, Ontario, and started competitive play at age 15.
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