Rio: Fiji Declares Public Holiday To Celebrate First Ever Olympic Gold
The government of the tiny South Pacific nation of Fiji has declared August 22 a national holiday after the country won its first ever Olympic gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games.
Fiji’s rugby team defeated Great Britain 43-7 in the rugby sevens final to scoop the gold medal.
Shops and schools in the nation of 900000 closed as citizens stayed glued to their televisions as the historic final unfolded.
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The victory prompted wild celebrations across the island nation, with the citizens taking to the streets to wave the country’s national flag.
The national carrier of the country, Fiji Airways announced that the only beer it will serve to its customers today (Friday) will be Fiji Gold, a popular local beverage. , phone carriers even offered free calls across the nation.
According to The Fiji Times, staff at the main hospital reported that “patients used their crutches or wheelchairs to get to the television to ensure they do not miss history in the making”.
The nation’s Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama thanked the Olympic officials for including the sport in the competition for the first time.
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“We can showcase little country like us who don’t have the financial backing like the other countries have, but we managed to beat them,” he said. It’s a wonderful feeling to be Fijian right now wherever you are in the world, especially those back home.”
Speaking also, the Director General of the Pacific nations Colin Tukuitonga celebrated Fiji’s remarkable achievement describing it as “magnificent and emphatic victory by a Pacific nation on the world stage”.
“Pacific Island nations may have the smallest teams competing in Rio, but Fiji has today proven they are mighty,” Tukuitonga said.
