SUVA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Suva, the capital of the Pacific island nation of Fiji, came to a standstill on Thursday morning as people from all walks of life were getting together for Iliesa Delana who won Fiji's first ever Paralympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games.

Delana, 27, a former college student, won gold in the F42 high jump event with a jump of 1.74 meters on Sept. 4, to beat six athletes in the competition and the gold medal is also just the second Paralympic medal by a Pacific athlete.

Delana received a hero's welcome on his return from London at the Pacific island nation's Nadi International Airport on Wednesday, while the government decided to hold an official celebration ceremony in the capital for the "gold boy" on Thursday.

Local media described the day as "a proud moment for Fiji" while calling it "Delana Day".

The official function began at 9:30am when Fiji Police Band and Police guards were escorting Delana through the main street of Suva marching in happiness for an achievement well done, before being taken to the Vodafone Arena where all the main celebration activities are to be held.

At the Vodafone Arena, Delana was received by a 50 men Guard of Honor, followed by a full Fijian Ceremony of Welcome, while President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and high-ranking officials joined the public for the celebration.

In his brief speech, President Nailatikau thanked Delana's family and province for a fine man who rose above the odds to make the country proud, saying Delana's win has made a group of special people extremely proud.

People living with forms of disabilities in the island nation and the Pacific had a reason to be proud, he said, adding he would be the first to suggest that the rest of Fiji needed to change their perception towards people with special needs "because it took a person with special needs to bring honour to our country."

Earlier on Sept. 4, Prime Minister Bainimarama paid tribute to Delana by saying, "To win the first ever gold for Fiji in the Paralympics is an enormous achievement. At the international level, it doesn't get much better than this."

Delana, who has now become an inspiration to many Fijians, said he never expected that such a big celebration would be accorded to him in his home country on Thursday.

Despite fanfare surrounding him, Delana maintained to keep "a low profile", saying "we need to keep working hard so that young people who look to us realize the importance of that."

While thanking the people, the government and his Digicel sponsors who came out in full force to support him, Delana vowed to look at the future as "the win was in the past".

This ceremonial practice is traditionally accorded only to honour dignitaries. Delana reflected on the days where he did not have much support and had to struggle in his preparations but according to him there are some struggles in life which you have to encounter as individuals.

According to local media, Delana as a Paralympic athlete faced many hardships and obstacles along the journey to his great accomplishment, yet the Nadrala villager stood tall, holding on and never giving up on his dream, and that is why the government of Fiji and her people have set aside a day to acknowledge this.

Sherly Singh, Digicel Fiji's Head of Marketing, said they will reveal their reward for Delana after Thursday celebrations as they need to hold talks with him. Enditem

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)