Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Fiji is battling a severe COVID-19 outbreak, with more than 25,000 cases and 200 deaths among a population of just over 900,000.
Fiji’s second consecutive gold medal in rugby sevens, following its success in the sport’s inaugural Olympic tournament at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, provoked a spontaneous outpouring of joy in the nation’s cities and villages.
The Fiji Village website showed a family in Nawaka Village near Nadi emerging from their home, carrying Fiji flags, singing and banging pots and pans.
“The win is worth more than a gold to Fijians everywhere,” Bainimarama told Radio New Zealand.
When England-born coach Ben Ryan guided Fiji to its first gold media in Rio, he was rewarded with a chiefly title and a grant of land.
“When all things are said and done, there can be no doubts about the impact of tonight’s victory on the people of our nation,” editor in chief Fred Wesley wrote.
“The fireworks and cheers, the screams of joy and laughter, they all signified a sense of appreciation and reflected how much this game means to us as a nation.
Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes.