England-born coach Ben Ryan (R) attends a welcome party for Fiji’s Olympic gold-medal-winning men’s rugby sevens team, at Prince Charles Park in Nadi, on August 21, 2016 © AFP / Feroz Khalil
SUVA, Fiji, Aug 22 – Englishman Ben Ryan was Monday awarded Fiji’s highest honour for coaching the South Pacific nation’s rugby sevens side to a historic gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
Tens of thousands of Fijians cheered and many openly wept as they braved heavy rain to attend a victory ceremony in the capital Suva with celebrations rolling through a second day since the team returned home.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama declared Monday a public holiday and free buses were provided to take people to the national stadium where Ryan and the players were feted as heroes.
Ryan, a self-described “44-year-old ginger bloke with glasses” has become the most revered person in Fiji since he guided the sevens team to a 43-7 hiding of Great Britain in the Olympic final to deliver Fiji its first Olympic medal.
Gold medallists Fiji and their coach Ben Ryan (top) celebrate during the men’s rugby sevens medal ceremony at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, on August 11 © AFP/File / Pascal Guyot
“In recognition of the achievement, it is an honour for me that I have this opportunity to present the country’s highest recognition medal award to Ben Ryan,” President Jioji Konrote said as the coach was made a Companion of the Order of Fiji.
The sevens players were each made officers of the Order of Fiji with the squad members and coach Ryan also receiving Sh1.5Mmn (FJD$30,000).
The crowd roared their approval when Ryan finished a bowl of kava, the traditional drink taken at ceremonial occasions in Fiji and he drew even more applause, when he thanked the crowd in the native iTaukei language.
Ryan, whose value as a sevens coach skyrocketed after his Olympic success, has said he will take a short break from the game before deciding his future.
