The government of Fiji has declared August 22 a national holiday to celebrate the country's first medal at an Olympics.
The tiny pacific nation of Fiji thumped Great Britain 43-7 in the rugby sevens final to scoop the gold medal, their fist ever medal since their first participation in the Olympic games in 1956.
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Wild celebrations erupted across the island nation as drivers leapt out of their cars and people took to the streets to wave the national flag.Â
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Apart from the declaration of the national holiday by the government, national carrier, Fiji Airways, announced the only beer it will serve on today will be Fiji Gold, a popular local beverage while phone carriers have offered free calls.
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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 makingâ€.
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Present Prime Minister and former coup leader, 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.â€
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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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Other Pacific nations say they too will celebrate the “magnificent and emphatic victory by a Pacific nation on the world stageâ€.
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"Pacific Island nations may have the smallest teams competing in Rio, but Fiji has today proven they are mighty," said Colin Tukuitonga, director-general of the Pacific.
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