The firsts
Nine countries won their very first Olympic gold this time at Rio, proving once and for all that in spite of US dominance, sportspersons who play with a whole nation’s dreams on their shoulders do often succeed.
To be the first to succeed in a sport in any country is an uphill and isolating journey, so when Monica Puig orchestrated an unbelievable tennis upset to win gold for a financially ravaged Puerto Rico, the country celebrated the success of their ‘chica de oro’ for days.
When the Fiji men won the Rugby Sevens gold by defeating Great Britain, a national holiday was declared. When Kosovo’s star judoka Majlinda Kelmendi won gold in the 52 kg, it was the first medal ever for the independent nation. Joseph Schooling of Singapore not only won the first gold of the country, but he swam to victory in the 100 meter freestyle by beating one Michael Phelps.
Vietnam’s Hoang Xuan Vinh, Tajikistan’s Dilshod Nazarov, Côte d'Ivoire’s Cheick Sallah Cisse, Jordan’s Ahmad Abughaush and Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet too won golds for the first time.
