Londoner Ben Ryan today spoke of his pride after coaching Fiji to Rio glory in the rugby sevens.
His team thrashed Great Britain 43-7 in the final of the debut sevens tournament at the Games, giving the tiny Pacific nation its first ever Olympic medal.
Ryan, 45, a former PE teacher, has gained cult status in his new home with babies and even a pop song being named after him.
In a story that has attracted interest from Hollywood producers, he quit British rugby three years ago to coach the Fijians sevens team and has steered them to a world championship and now Olympic gold.
Ryan said: “I am very happy for the boys.
"It was a target we had set to win the world title and to be Olympic champions and we have managed to do both.
"I feel very lucky I am in charge of such an unbelievable group of athletes with a country behind us that is passionate about Rugby sevens.”
He also praised the performance of Team GB saying: “I am really pleased for those Great Britain guys, all those England players.
"They did remarkably well to get a silver medal.”
Great Britain captain Tom Mitchell said it had been an “amazing journey” to win silver in a tournament that included powerful rugby nations such as South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
He said: “I had a few tears at the end. Everyone has worked so hard.”
