Top seeds Fiji have been drawn in Group A along with the United States, Argentina and Brazil, while second-ranked South Africa are due to go up against Australia, France and Spain in Group B as rugby returns to the Olympics for the first time in 92 years. 

Number three seeds New Zealand open the competition, scheduled to take place from August 9 to 11 at the Deodoro Olympic Park, with matches against Great Britain, Kenya and Japan in Group C.

The draw for the women’s tournament, which runs from August 6 to 8, was also made today with number one seeds and reigning HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series champions Australia being pitted against the United States, Fiji and Colombia in Pool A.

Spain, who beat Russia in the last Olympic Qualification Tournament in Dublin on Sunday (June 26), will realise their Olympic dream against New Zealand, France and Kenya in Pool B.

The pick of the groups is arguably Pool C, which includes the much-fancied Canadian and British teams as well as Japan and hosts Brazil.

In both competitions, the top two teams from each pool, plus the two best third-placed sides, progress to the quarter-finals.

The make-up of the pools is determined by the teams being seeded one to 12, based on the points they have accumulated over the past two seasons of World Rugby’s Sevens Series, comprising multiple events throughout 2014-15 and 2015-16.

"Today’s announcement represents another exciting milestone on rugby sevens’ road to Rio 2016," said World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"Confirmation of the pools bring the competitions to life and add a further injection of excitement for teams and fans alike.

"We were determined to return rugby to the Olympic Games because we knew inclusion would be game-changing for our sport.

"We knew it would open the door to reach and inspire new participants and fans worldwide and enable our top men’s and women’s players to realise their dreams of becoming Olympians, competing alongside the greatest athletes in the world.

"That dream is now very much a reality and we are excited and honoured to be back on sport’s greatest stage."

Incoming World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, who is due to begin his mandate on Friday (July 1), added: "Our top men’s and women’s players are excited about becoming Olympians and representing their nation and our sport at the Olympic Games.

"I anticipate that it will be one of the highlights of Rio 2016 as we showcase this great sport to a new audience of hundreds of millions around the world and inspire the next generation to get into rugby.

"It’s an exciting time to be involved in rugby and I know that all our member unions are ready to make the most of this opportunity as we continue to grow the game across the globe.

"As we rapidly approach one month to go, we are anticipating very special and successful rugby sevens events that showcase the very best of our dynamic sport and its character-building values."

Rio 2016 claim the Deodoro Stadium is now receiving its finishing touches with the rugby posts due to be put into position on July 18 and the pitch markings scheduled to be painted onto the grass on August 3.

"It will be a dream come true to take part in rugby's return to the Olympics, especially in front of our own fans," said Brazil's women's star player Edna Santini.

"Home support will be like having an extra player on the pitch."

The match schedule is due to announced in mid-July.