Ben Ryan gives credit to Kolinisau and his players and the people of Fiji

“My name is Peni Raiyani from Serua.”

Fiji 7's coach, Ben Ryan today started his speech with these words infront of thousands of Fijians at Prince Charles Park who gathered for the welcome ceremony of the victorious Fiji sevens team.

Ryan started by telling people how Great Britain took their warm up area before the medal final in Rio as they like to invade places.

He says they did not complain.

He also told the people that Great Britain players were tense while we were relaxed.

Amazing welcome for us. #Fiji7s @Rio2016_en pic.twitter.com/IRuDpS7tYA

— Ben Ryan Fiji 7s (@benjaminryan) August 21, 2016

Ryan also gave credit to Osea Kolinisau and his players and the people of Fiji for the win in Rio.

Ben Ryan has also confirmed that he is leaving Fiji however he has not signed any contract as yet.

The atmosphere in Nadi was just electrifying - right from the Nadi International Airport to Prince Charles Park as thousands of people from all walks of life danced and ran with Fiji flags beside the road as the Fiji 7s team bus made its way out of the airport.

Some climbed on the trees to have a good view of their heroes.

The victorious 7s team and other Team Fiji athletes were accorded a full traditional welcome ceremony performed by the people of Vuda.

The scene at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park will be remembered for years as a young boy led everyone in singing Fiji’s national anthem.

Straight after the formalities, hundreds of people rushed to get autographs and pictures with the Fiji 7s players while many just wanted to touch their heroes and congratulate them on bringing happiness to the country. 

Meanwhile we also caught up with Deve Wakili who came all the way from Dawara, Savusavu with his three children to catch a glimpse of our national 7s heroes.

Wakili says this is a historic moment for Fiji and he and his family want to be part of it.

He says they are excited to be one of the first Fijians to meet and greet the Fiji 7s side after winning Fiji’s first ever Olympic Gold Medal.

Wakili adds they do not want to meet the players in Suva or any other place but to meet them as they arrive.

The team is departing Nadi Airport and will be in Nausori at 5.30pm today.

Only our gold medal winning Fiji 7s team will come along Kings Road from Nausori to Suva this afternoon.

They will leave Nausori Airport at about 5.45 this afternoon.

Get ready to line up the streets from Nausori to Suva to welcome home the team.

The Fiji 7's team bus will travel to Suva through Kings road and will go through 8 miles in Nasinu, past Rishikul Sanatan College in Valelevu, Centerpoint junction at four miles and past Nabua.

The bus will then divert to Rewa Street in Samabula beside the BSP Bank.

The bus will travel down to Flagstaff, turn right to Bau Street into McGregor Road and will go through Thurston Street to the Grand Pacific Hotel.

The 7s team will stay at GPH for the night.

On the special 7s victory holiday tomorrow, the Olympic Gold Medal victory celebrations will be held at the ANZ Stadium.

The stadium gates will open at 8.30am.

Our gold medal winning team will leave in a vehicle from GPH in a march in a convoy with a band accompanying them at 9.30am Monday.

This will start from the Suva Flea Market, through to Victoria Parade, turn left at Thurston Street, on to McGregor Road, Bau Street, then to Laucala Bay Road and to the ANZ Stadium.

Stay with us for reports.

You can also check out photos and live videos of the celebrations on our facebook page, fijivillage.com