At the offices of the Fiji Olympic Committee immediately after the match, staff began planning for the team’s return and for national victory celebrations.
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Three years on and Ryan will return to Fiji as a national hero after his team won the country’s first ever Olympic medal with a victory in Rio that had strangers to the game of sevens all over the world nearly as blown away as Great Britain’s players were in the final.
Pre-tournament favourites Fiji were imperious from the opening whistle.
In his interview with SUNsports yesterday Beaumont said Fiji’s gold medal win in the Olympics, has backed World Rugby’s plan of developing the sport not only in Fiji but the region as well.
Osea Kolinisau did not want merely to win Fiji’s first ever Olympic gold medal, he was determined to do it by showing the world how rugby sevens should be played.
Apart from the hype from media outlets, notable sports personalities such as Jarryd Hayne and Matt Giteau have also sent congratulations for the team’s victory.
Earlier on Thursday, the USA men’s rugby team defeated Spain 24-12 to finish ninth in the final Olympic standings. “All the (IOC) people I’ve spoken to have been nothing but encouraging”.
The women’s world series champion Australians won the gold medal in a final against number two-ranked New Zealand, and Canada beat Britain for bronze.
In a message to the nation, he said “every Fijian is rejoicing” around the world. Rugby sevens certainly grabbed attention in its debut at the Olympic Games.
But Bainimarama said “a wonderful reception awaits our boys when they arrive back in Fiji. never before has the Fijian spirit soared so high as it does today”.
Ryan said he had already become disillusioned with his employer before that and was grateful to receive a quick offer from Fiji to take over its sevens team and program.
“When the boys come in together. heads turn”, he said. There’s not many islanders in there, but (other athletes) have heard about the Fiji rugby sevens team. “I hope this brand of rugby will put Fiji on the map”, he added.
Other highlights at Deodoro included New Zealand’s women performing an emotional Haka following their final defeat, and a volunteer’s marriage proposal which was accepted by her partner – a player for Brazil in the women’s tournament.
“It was our day – we are thankful for it – but it is the team, really”.
“Nobody in world rugby.is conceited enough to think that we’ve got a divine right to be here, but I do think we have showcased our sport on the world stage”, he said.
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Ben Ryan said he was going back to Fiji “to try and hide” before leaving his job as coach of their rugby sevens team.
