Some players make you proud every time they step on the field, and Chloe Gandy is one of them. We’re thrilled to share that Chloe, from Ferndale, has been named to Team USA’s Girls U18 rugby sevens squad for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
These Games are historic. Dakar 2026 is the first Olympic event ever held on the African continent. About 2,700 of the world’s top young athletes will compete there, and Chloe is one of just 12 players chosen to represent the United States in rugby sevens. She’ll wear the No. 4 jersey. Washington has a second player on the squad, Seattle’s Ella Moynihan.
Team USA’s coaching staff brings a lot of experience. Head coach Irene Gardner is a former Eagle and a recent US Rugby Hall of Fame inductee. Assistant coach Kelly Griffin captained the USA Women’s Sevens team and played at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
We’ve watched Chloe work, grow and lead, from training nights to game days. She has earned this recognition.
Watch her play: The rugby tournament runs November 1–3. The USA is in Pool B with Czechia, Madagascar and Spain. Every match streams live and free on Olympics.com and the Olympic Channel at olympics.com/en/dakar-2026.
Congratulations, Chloe. We can’t wait to cheer you on! 🇺🇸🏉
