Rob Vickerman: Fiji produce Hollywood ending to uplifting Sevens debut

Great Britain's Daniel Bibby (left) and Fiji's Jasa Veremalua in action during the Rugby Sevens Men's Gold Medal Match between Fiji and Great Britain at the Deodoro Stadium on the sixth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil. (Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Arriving three days prior to the opening ceremony and possessing a pass of Willy Wonka style ‘golden ticket’ proportions, I had the fortune to see all the Olympic sites before the Games started. Rio was a beautiful city, combining stunning geography with an urban sprawl – and there was a very noticeable juxtaposition of wealth and poverty with the many favelas seemingly popping up next to affluent condominiums.

Before the start of the Olympics many conversations were around transport issues and unrest from locals who simply do not believe that the event should be on, let alone drain the funds of a nation notoriously in economic and political uncertainty.

But the city embraced the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’, and continues to do so.

Fiji's Leone Nakarawa celebrates scoring his side's fourth try during the Rugby Sevens Men's Gold Medal Match between Fiji and Great Britain at the Deodoro Stadium on the sixth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil.

The inaugural women’s rugby Sevens kicked things off on the first weekend.

It was great to see Great Britain’s women showcase their talents, with Rotherham-born Heather Fisher standing out and making a sizeable impression as Simon Middleton’s women took apart the pool fixtures including a wonderful victory over a much-fancied Canadian team.

However, a formidable and imposing New Zealand women’s side led the way, as well a very talented Australian women’s side coached by ex-Leeds Tykes fly half, Tim Walsh. Team GB’s women breezed through their quarter-final but struggled to match the ferocity of the New Zealand in semi-final.

In a huge minute in the second half, the British women had not one player sin binned (a yellow card is two minutes off the pitch), but two! Playing against the second best team in the world is a tough enough ask with a full compliment, let alone five players.

The effect of this extra fatigue and damaged confidence took its toll as GB lost the bronze-medal match to Canada, to see them finish a punishing, agonising and unrewarded fourth place.

Results were surprising, as usual, and the action simply relentless, breathtaking and mesmerising in the men’s tournament.

Japan continues a rugby development beyond their years as they beat third seeds New Zealand.

Such was the competitiveness across the board it came down to the last kick of the game in all three pools to cement the draws for the quarters, of which Great Britain – playing together for the first time – were part of.

Great Britain won two incredible knock-out games against the well-supported and passionate Argentineans and resilient South Africa, when they needed a defensive masterclass. Their prize was a final date with the fairytale story of the Sevens.

Fiji – amidst rumours of Hollywood films being released and with intense pressure from the home islands – stood up to GB’s threat. And then some.

If any aspiring child, in any sport, saw the skills on show it would set a template for what is achievable at an Olympic Games.

Many of the Fijian team started playing in glass-strewn car parks with drinks bottles filled with sand to replicate a ball.

They now are back-to-back world champions and Olympic champions and deserving of a Hollywood ending.

On a personal level, I have brought back a deeper understanding of what performance, development and well-being looks like at the highest level, my work now calls upon relating this to businesses through my company WorkAthlete (www.workathlete.com)