The drive for gold extends beyond mere hunger for the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s team, now carrying the nation’s hopes at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Osea Kolinisau and his men understand they are playing to uphold the country’s legacy at the pinnacle of all sports. No other team has ever won sevens gold at the Olympics, let alone twice as Fiji did in Rio, Brazil, and Tokyo, Japan.
Kolinisau is determined to continue this golden streak in Paris, France. “We are still hungry for that win and we want to maintain the legacy that the other boys have built,” said the 2016 Fiji 7s winning captain from France.
Although recent results in the World Sevens Series might raise some doubts, Kolinisau believes in his team’s capability. “The goal is to go out and defend our legacy. Currently, no other team can claim to be the champion, and that’s what the boys are fighting hard to uphold.
“We are really hungry, and the public is too. I know the boys are up for the challenge in the next two weeks,” Kolinisau added.
The team has spent the last week acclimatizing and adapting to the time difference in France while also adjusting to the new schedule or format of the Games. Fiji will face Uruguay in its first pool match on July 25 at Stade de France in Paris.