Oi (Bula) from the Rio Olympic Village. The Olympic Village is starting to be deserted as teams that have completed their competition have started to head home.

Majority of Team Fiji are already on their way home with the historic Olympic gold medal in the bag. I managed to catch up with several of the athletes and successful men’s sevens head coach, Ben Ryan before they departed the Olympic Village.

For Ryan, a well-earned rest beckons after national celebrations in Suva on Monday.

I’m told Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is flying through from Los Angeles and will arrive before Team Fiji.

Team Fiji flew out of Rio in two groups, one flying to Auckland, New Zealand, via Buenos Aires in Argentina and the second via Santiago, Chile.

Fiji men’s rugby sevens team manager Ropate Kauvesi, Leone Nakarawa and Semi Kunatani should arrive tomorrow morning in time for the national celebrations in Suva.

The main dining hall seemed empty tonight. I met Papua New Guinea and Pacific sprint queen Toea Wisil and like the rest she just wants to get back home.

“It’s been too long again,” said Wisil. Several Team Samoa and Vanuatu athletes have also returned home.

My media friends from Fiji Sun, Fiji Times and FBC TV were also on yesterday’s flight out of Rio. Apart from the remaining events, the focus now is on the closing ceremony on Sunday night. I should be able to update you further on the plans for the closing ceremony, so until tomorrow, ‘boa noite’ (good night).

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj