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Fiji Declares Public Holiday After 1st Olympic Medal Ever

PM declares public holiday after historic rugby win.

The Pacific island nation of Fiji is set for a fourth day of public holiday after its rugby sevens team won the country’s first Olympic gold medal Thursday night. Fiji’s team became the first men’s sevens champions after the sport’s 92-year Olympics hiatus after defeating Britain 43-7 in the final of the tournament. Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama told reporters the team’s victory had taken on special significance for the nation, with the inclusion of rugby in this year’s Olympics “propping up” the small country. “They’re all celebrating [back home], they’ve been celebrating for the last three days,” he said. “We’ve got celebrations programmed for when [the team] return ... We are all proud to be Fijians right now,” Bainimarama said, adding that the rugby players will be rewarded upon their return home.