Coach Ben Ryan honored as Fiji celebrates gold medal
SUVA, Fiji (AP) — The England-born coach of Fiji's gold medal-winning rugby sevens team, Ben Ryan, has been awarded one of the Pacific nation's highest civil honors at a ceremony in the capital Suva on Monday.
So the national stadium is already full and we still have these guys with us! pic.twitter.com/LNr5FTopGL
— Ben Ryan Fiji 7s (@benjaminryan) August 21, 2016
Fiji president Jioji Konrote made Ryan a Companion of the Order of Fiji, the highest honorary title that can be awarded under the Order.
It's just amazing!! @Rio2016_en @UR7s #fiji pic.twitter.com/YlKCWTiUBB
— Ben Ryan Fiji 7s (@benjaminryan) August 21, 2016
The Fiji players and team managers were made Officers of the Order of Fiji and, with Ryan, were awarded $30,000 by the Fiji government for winning Fiji's first Olympics medal.
The awards took place at a ceremony at Suva's packed National Stadium on Monday, which was made a national holiday in the team's honor.
Fans cheered as Ryan drained a bowl of the local beverage kava as part of a traditional ceremony of celebration.