Fiji declares a national holiday following its first gold medal in history
Fiji is very, very, very excited right now.
The nation just won its first Olympic medal, in men's rugby sevens, and it was a gold. Fijians are so thrilled, in fact, that Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama actually declared August 22 a national holiday so people can celebrate rather than going to work.
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In other responses in the rugby-obsessed nation: phone carriers offered free calls; Fiji Airways, the national carrier, announced the only beer it will serve on Friday will be Fiji Gold, a popular local beverage [...] Some fans said Ben Ryan, the team’s London-born coach, and his family should be given citizenship. [The Telegraph]
"The achievement will be part of our history back home," sevens player Osea Kolinisau explained.
Someone really ought to petition President Obama to let us celebrate Simone Biles, Simone Manuel, or Michael Phelps' golds with a day off, too, don't you think?
