SAINT-DENIS, France — In a familiar theme from recent Olympic events, the world, with its massive populations and extensive facilities, has continuously struggled to overcome the challenge posed by the small but mighty nation of Fiji in the pursuit of gold. Since the introduction of rugby sevens at the Olympics during the Rio 2016 Games, Fiji has faced defeat 17 times, culminating in a gold medal clash at the Paris Olympics.
What would it take to finally beat Fiji?
It appears that having the fervent support of a 69,000-strong crowd singing the French national anthem, including President Emmanuel Macron, alongside a relatively quiet contingent of Fijian fans, could be beneficial. To secure victory against a team that has clinched two gold medals, France also needed a determined star like Antoine Dupont, who, after a disappointing experience in the 2023 World Cup of Rugby, transitioned to the sevens format and shone on the medal stand. After a long run that set up a crucial try for Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Dupont scored twice more, leading France from a 7-7 deadlock to a commanding 28-7 victory.
That is how a country of 68 million was able to surpass a nation of 950,000, sending French fans into an hour-long celebration at Stade de France before they eagerly moved on to continue their festivities elsewhere.
Fiji’s manager, Osea Kolinisau, the captain during their 2016 triumph, expressed regret for not upholding the team’s legacy. He reminded his players of the value of earning a silver medal, particularly after a period of challenges for the Fijian team. He acknowledged the disappointments that come with high expectations but also noted that fans back home were proud given the circumstances.
“There will be a sense of quiet, not like previous Olympics,” said Akuila Cama from the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation. “But still, people will take pride in our performance, as we were not expected to win anything here… It’s similar to soccer in Brazil; everyone has an opinion about the game. Social media reactions indicate that fans are still proud of the effort.”
Despite the loss, many Fijians remained dedicated to supporting their team. Waran Goundar, a Fijian living in Sydney, remarked on rugby’s unifying power for the nation. Ulaiasi Tui Tubou, a Fijian resident in England, described how the entire country stops to watch games, emphasizing the passionate atmosphere and shared anticipation that grips Fiji when their team plays.
Throughout the night, as the team secured a semifinal victory against Australia, Fijians rallied around their televisions, reflecting the significance of the moment even in the early hours back home.
As the final approached, the tension and excitement mounted. After the Fijian national anthem was sung, the game commenced, momentarily quieting a boisterous stadium, only for France to strike back decisively in the second half.
Despite the heart-wrenching defeat, Kolinisau urged his team to consider the achievement of winning an Olympic silver medal. He expressed understanding of the high bar set by past teams while encouraging them to take pride in their accomplishment, reminding them that many dream of reaching the Olympic podium but never make it.