Fiji at the Olympics
Fiji's Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee was formed in 1949 and was recognized in 1955. The very next year, they participated in the Summer Games that was held in Melbourne, Australia. They were again present at the Olympics for the 1960 Summer Games in Rome but missed the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 1964.
Fiji sent athletes for the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Games then missed the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow, USSR. They came back for the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, California, USA and have never missed a single meet since then. They won their first medal, and a gold at that, in Rio 2016, in the first-ever Olympic rugby sevens men's event. In Tokyo 2020, to much celebration the country repeated the effort and won men's rugby gold again.
Fiji is one of the most well-known tropical vacation destinations in the world but they are one of the very few countries in their general area who participates in the Winter Olympics. Between 1988 and 2002, they have been represented a total of three times in the Winter Games. In 1988 and 1994, cross-country skier Rusiate Rogoyawa represented Fiji to the Winter Games and in 2002; alpine skier Laurence Thoms was Fiji's sole representative.
Trivia
- Fijian sailor Colin Philp, Sr., competed with his son Tony Philp in 1984, 1988 and 1992. Also, another sibling joined them in 1988 (Colin, Jr. Philp) and in 1992 (David Philp).
- The Fiji men's team won the first-ever Olympic Rugby seven's tournament in 2016 - their country's first medal of any color. The world's only $7 banknote was released by Fiji to commemorate the win.
Related Pages
- Fiji at the Winter Olympics
- List of all countries that have participated at the Olympic Games.
- About sport in Fiji
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