AND now there are 13. That’s the number of men who have been selected to represent us at the Rio Olympics next month as was announced by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, yesterday.
In the lead-up to the naming of the team to Rio, we were told national sevens rugby coach Ben Ryan would be selecting players who would be able to tackle any scenario that they may have to face. He tested out players in various positions and also various combinations to make sure we would, regardless of the situation on the field, have the best combination for the assignment for that particular moment in a game.
With the team being announced yesterday, it’s very understandable that some players will be hurt because they had given everything but came up short. They must know they played a very important role in the preparation of them. Without them, those who have been chosen might not have shone as they did to be selected.
That is the nature of competition. So we thank them for the part they played in our quest for an Olympic gold medal.
To those who have been selected, our heartfelt congratulations.
You alone have known what has been done; how hard you have worked, the sacrifices you have made, things you have missed because you wanted to represent us in Brazil, the inconveniences and not forgetting the criticism you had to endure to actually be an Olympian.
We, the sevens rugby-mad public of Fiji know what we want. Of that we are very clear. We have known that since it was announced sevens would be part of the 2016 Olympics — the gold medal!
The team management too knows what it will want from you. It had demanded thus far and you have produced otherwise your names would not have been announced by the PM.
You too want the gold medal. In that we have a common desire.
A great many Fijians and friends — at home and abroad — will be part of your campaign by watching, listening and reading about your journey to and in Rio. We will hope for the best, will it to happen and fervently pray for good health as you chase victory.
You carry our hopes as you did when you won back-to-back world series titles for our tiny island country.
Many a time you have done us proud at the various tournaments which make up the series and there have been times when you stumbled. That is part of competition and the growth of an individual athlete and a team.
When you take to the field in Rio — you will hold that goal, that dream of a gold medal in your very capable hands. Home will be very far away but you can rest assured Fiji, to a man, woman and child will be right there with you as we reach out with one heart for our first-ever Olympic gold medal.
