In the history of World Rugby 7s Series, this season will be the toughest of all.
No doubt about that! It’s the road to the Olympics!
The Olympic Games is the greatest sport show on earth.
It’s the games that began in ancient Greece in 776 BC.
Try to think about it this way! It’s a million times greater than the Rugby World Cup in both codes 7s and 15s. There is nothing more than the Olympic Games.
Fiji made its Olympic debut 60 years ago at the 1956 Summer Games which was held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
And we have competed in 12 Summer Games and three Winter Games.
We have sent some of our best in sports to represent us in Olympics over the years.
The likes of Summer Olympians Makelesi Bulikiobo of athletics, Leslie Copeland of javelin and fellow Winter Olympians Rusiate Rogoyawa of cross-country skiing and Laurence Thomas of alpine skiing but none of them returned home with an Olympic medal.
Now this year, we have the chance to create history not only to win a medal but to win an Olympic gold medal.
The game we love, the game we call ours – our rugby 7s team now has the chance to bring home Fiji’s first Olympic gold medal.
The boys failure to play in the main final of the Wellington and Sydney 7s shows that the road to Rio is getting tougher and steeper.
Of course we are down and disappointed. Many have voiced their disappointment and frustrations on social media.
But like Waisale Serevi said, “We lost…but it doesn’t mean coach Ben and the boys are no good… Do we want to win all these tournaments and lose gold medal in Rio, or lose some of these and win gold in Rio? I’d rather lose now, learn quickly, refocus and win in Gold in Rio…the only way we learn is when we stumble and fall in life or lose a game of rugby…”
I still believe that our rugby 7s team is not just one of the best. I believe it is the best in the world. The boys and the coaches really need our support now.
Let’s get behind them and keep supporting them in every possible way we can in this dusty and rocky road to Rio.
I started to feel that Fijians around the globe are into something very special this year.
Over the next couple months, I think it might be worth it to set that alarm a little early. There is a tonne of special Fijian rugby 7s at its very best on the way.
The best for Rio!
Vinaka Ben, vinaka boys.
One hundred per cent Fijian rugby support ka dina! Toso Viti!
