Rio 2016: Triumph, tears as Sevens lift tiny nation

Fijians erupted in celebration Friday, setting off flares and dancing in the streets after their Sevens rugby team won the South Pacific nation’s first ever Olympic medal — and gold at that.

The tiny island nation came to a standstill at the start of the final against Great Britain, and by half-time the fireworks had started and there was a monumental chorus of car horns as it became evident Fiji would win and create history.

Fiji scored first after just 55 seconds, led 29-0 at half-time and finished up thrashing Great Britain by an emphatic 43-7.

“This is the biggest day in Fiji's history. Everyone is celebrating,” said Feroz Khalil who watched the final on the big screen at the main stadium in Suva.

“It was crazy. There were people chanting, crying, tears were flowing. I’m feeling so happy.”

In a message to the nation from Rio de Janiero, where he watched the Olympic final, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said “every Fijian is rejoicing” around the world.

“Never before has the Fijian spirit soared so high as it does today. Never have we stood so tall as a nation.”

Traffic was gridlocked in the capital Suva where the streets were filled with people singing and dancing.

The party atmosphere started before dawn when Fiji beat Japan 20-5 in the semifinals to be assured of a medal.

In the rugby-obsessed island nation, the gold medal victory was also seen as a chance to put behind them the memories of four coups over the past 30 years of political upheaval.