(GeoFact of the Day Blog — RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil) History is being made daily at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL. For the first time ever, athletes from two countries located thousands of miles apart — FIJI and KOSOVO — obtained their first Olympic medals, which happen to be GOLD! In addition, a gold medal goes to Fehaid Aldeehani — an Independent Olympic Athlete from KUWAIT. IOA athletes from the former Yugoslavia did win bronze (2) and silver (1) medals at Barcelona, Spain in 1992, but never before has an IOA athlete won gold like Aldeehani did! Aldeehani competed in the Double Trap Men's Shooting event, while Majlinda Kelmendi earned gold for Kosovo in her Judo for Women (52-kilogram weight) event.
After achieving gold medals for the first time ever, Fijian athletes are, of course, thankful the International Olympics Committee decided to include Rugby Sevens as an Olympic sport for the first time ever. Coached by Ben Ryan of the United Kingdom (Great Britain) and managed by Ropate Kauvesi, the team included the following members: Ro Dakuwaqa, Apisai Domolailai, Osea Kolinisau (captain), Semi Kunatani, Viliame Mata, Leone Nakarawa, Vatemo Ravouvou, Savenaca Rawaca, Kitione Taliga, Josua Tuisova, Jerry Tuwai, Jasa Veremalua, and Samisoni Viriviri. Rugby is known as Fiji's national sport, which makes total sense given Fiji's trailblazing victory on Thursday against the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, The PHILIPPINES earned their first medal since the Atlanta 1996 games. In Rio de Janeiro, Hidilyn Diaz earned silver for the Women's 53-kilogram Weightlifting competition.
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