Fiji’s gold-medal-winning men’s sevens rugby team arrived home Sunday to a delighted nation thrilled by the capture of its first ever Olympic medal.
The team’s flight touched down in Nadi at midday after a journey from Brazil via Santiago, Chile and Auckland, New Zealand. Fans were asked not to greet the team at the airport and instead lined the streets or waited in their thousands at Prince Charles Park where an official welcome ceremony was to take place.
Fiji’s rugby sevens claimed the country’s first ever Olympic medal in Rio. Photo: AFP
The streets of Nadi were decked with banners and flags ahead of the team’s arrival.
Players and England-born coach Ben Ryan were due to fly to the capital Suva later Sunday where further celebrations are planned.
The Fiji government has proclaimed a national holiday on Monday and has awarded each player $30,000.
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