Rugby Ontario is delighted to congratulate local referee Talal (Moe) Chaudhry on his selection in the squad of 23 match officials that will take charge of the rugby sevens competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in France from 24-30 July.

Chaudhry, a native of Mississauga, Ont., has worked as both referee and assistant referee on the international front as well as the HSBC SVNS, formerly known as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. He also officiates Major League Rugby games as well as Ontario club and university rugby.

Rugby Ontario CEO Myles Spencer said: “We are proud that Moe has been selected to referee at the highest level of the sevens game and arguably the biggest sporting event of all, the Olympic Games. His selection is well deserved and is a testament to his hard work and dedication over many years, starting on the rugby fields of this province. On behalf of the Rugby Ontario Board, our Match Officials Committee, RO staff and everyone involved in this great game across the province, I would like to congratulate him on this achievement and wish him every success at the Games in Paris.”

Chaudhry said: “It is a massive thrill for me to have been selected for the Olympics and the realization of a dream. Of course, I have put in a lot of effort to get this far but I did not do it alone. Ever since I started refereeing in Ontario, I have been supported by many coaches and other match officials who have given me the tools, the opportunities and the encouragement to succeed. My hope now is that I can go to Paris and make them proud with my performances on that stage.”

The squad features match officials from 16 countries with Chaudhry the sole representative from Canada, although another Ontarian, Maggie Cogger-Orr, is also there. Cogger-Orr is originally from Markham, Ont, but will represent her adopted country, New Zealand, where she now lives and works.

The two Canadians have been chosen to officiate Olympic women’s play, which runs from 28-30 July at Stade de France, which was also the venue for the final of the Rugby World Cup 2023.

World Rugby High Performance Sevens Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien said: “I am very excited to be managing a hugely experienced and talented group of match officials to Paris 2024. To have so many countries represented as well as knowing every region is involved gives our management team a huge amount of satisfaction and is testament to the pathways we have had in place over the past four years. All those selected have worked extremely hard to ensure that when we arrive in Paris, we will have officials able to referee and officiate to the level required for such a special event.”

The officials were selected following a comprehensive review of performances across the HSBC SVNS 2024 series.