SUVA, Fiji (AP) — Osea Kolinisau led Fiji to its first ever Olympic gold medal when rugby sevens made its debut at the Summer Games in 2016 and now, as a coach, he’s turning to old teammate Jerry Tuwai to help the Pacific nation’s bid for a three-peat.
Kolinisau, the inspirational Fiji captain at Rio de Janeiro eight years ago, was drafted in to coach the men’s national sevens squad earlier this year when it was struggling in the world series.
He has only recently recalled 35-year-old Tuwai — the two-time Olympic champion, Sevens World Cup winner and world sevens player of the decade — who in now part of Fiji's contingent in Paris.
“The Olympic Games are a unique event, and our biggest challenge will be adjusting to the rhythm and flow that comes with the international stage, given our limited time together,” Kolinisau said. “I am confident in the talent and experience of our players.”
Fiji Rugby said it was confident Kolinisau's lineup “with its blend of seasoned veterans and dynamic young talent, will rise to the occasion and make the nation proud.”
The men's rugby sevens tournament kicks off July 24 — two days before the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics — and Fiji is in Pool C with host and world series final champion France, the U.S. and Uruguay.
The women's tournament runs July 28-30, with Tokyo bronze medalist Fiji in Pool A with defending champion New Zealand, Canada and China.
The women's team was confirmed early Thursday, with Sesenieli Donu recovering from a long-term knee injury to take her place in coach Saiasi Fuli’s Fijiana 15-player lineup.
Donu played an important role in Fijiana's unexpected run to the bronze medal at Tokyo three years ago but injured her knee at the Women's World Cup in 2022 and needed surgery.
She said there were times when she almost lost hope during her long recovery.
“I prayed for it and had the faith to continue with my rehab, and now I am preparing for the Olympics," she said ahead of the squad announcement, reflecting on her motivation. "Don’t give up on your dream. This has helped me push through the toughest moments.”
The squads are cut to 12 for the Olympic competition, with a further three players designated as traveling reserves.
Squads:
Men: Joseva Talacolo, Jeremaia Matana, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Josaia Raisuqe, Terio Veilawa, Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu, Iosefo Masi, Iowane Teba, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ratu Felipe Sauturaga, Kaminieli Rasaku, Joji Nasova, Vuiviwa Naduvalo.
Women: Raijeli Daveua, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Adi Vani Buleki, Lavena Cavuru, Reapi Ulunisau, Ana Maria Naimasi, Ilisapeci Delaiwau, Kolora Lomani, Aloesi Nakoci, Laisana Likuceva, Maria Rokotuisiga, Sesenieli Donu, Meredani Qoro, Adimereani Rogosau, Talei Qalo Wilson.
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
FILE - Fiji's Jerry Tuwai, center, evades Britain's Alex Davis as Fiji's Meli Derenalagi looks on, in their men's rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Osea Kolinisau led Fiji to its first ever Olympic gold medal when rugby sevens made its debut at the Summer Games in 2016 and now, as a coach, he’s turning to old teammate Jerry Tuwai to help the Pacific nation’s bid for a three-peat. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Roughly 130 million people were under threat Saturday and into next week from a long-running heat wave that already has broken records with dangerously high temperatures — and is expected to shatter more from East Coast to West Coast, forecasters said.
Oppressive heat and humidity could team up to spike temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 degrees Celsius) in parts of the Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, said Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
In Oregon, records could be broken in cities including Eugene, Portland and Salem, Asherman said. Dozens of other records throughout the U.S. could fall, Asherman said, causing millions to seek relief from the blanket of heat in cooling centers from Bullhead City, Arizona, to Norfolk, Virginia.
“Certainly a pretty anomalous event that we’re expecting here, which looks like it will continue through at least midweek,” Asherman said.
By 9 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service said the temperature had already risen to 98 degrees (36.6 C) in Phoenix, which saw a record high of 118 F (47.7 C) for the date on Friday.
Meteorologists predict temperatures will be near daily records region-wide through most, if not all, of the coming week with lower desert highs reaching 115 to 120 degrees (46.1 to 48.8 C) .
Rare heat advisories had been extended even into the upper elevations, including around Lake Tahoe, with the National Weather Service in Reno warning of “major heat risk impacts, even in the mountains.”
“How hot are we talking? Well, high temperatures across (western Nevada and northeastern California) won't get below 100 degrees (37.8 C) until next weekend,” the service posted online. “And unfortunately, there won't be much relief overnight either."
A new heat record for the day was set on Friday in California's Death Valley -- one of the hottest places on Earth — with the mercury climbing to 127 F (52.8 C.) The old mark of 122 F (50 C) was last tied in 2013.
More extreme highs are in the near forecast, including 129 F (53.8 degrees C) for Sunday at Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park, and then around 130 (54.4 C) through Wednesday. The hottest temperature ever officially recorded on Earth was 134 degrees (56.67 C) in Death Valley in July 1913, though some experts dispute that measurement and say the real record was 130 F (54.4 C) recorded there in July 2021.
The worst was yet to come across much of the West, with triple-digit temperatures likely — between 15 and 30 degrees (8 and 16 degrees Celsius) higher than average into next week, the National Weather Service said.
The Eastern U.S. also was bracing for more hot temperatures. Baltimore and others parts of Maryland were under an excessive heat warning, as heat index values could climb to 110 F (43 C), forecasters said.
"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," said a National Weather Service advisory for the Baltimore area. “Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”
In Arizona’s Maricopa County, which encompasses Phoenix, there have been at least 13 confirmed heat-related deaths this year, along with more than 160 other suspected heat deaths are still under investigation, according to the county’s most recent report.
That does not include the death of a 10-year-old boy earlier this week in Phoenix who suffered a “heat-related medical event” while hiking with family at South Mountain Park and Preserve, according to police.
At the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon, music fans dealt with heat by drinking cold water, seeking refuge in the shade or freshening up under water misters. Organizers of the weekend revelries also advertised free access to air conditioning in a nearby hotel.
Angela Quiroz, 31, kept her scarf and hat wet and applied sunscreen at she protected herself from the heat at the music festival.
“Definitely a difference between the shade and the sun,” Quiroz said Friday. “But when you’re in the sun, it feels like you’re cooking.”
Associated Press reporter Julie Walker contributed from New York. Boone reported from Boise, Idaho, and Sonner reported from Reno, Nevada. Associated Press journalists Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; Jonathan Drew in Raleigh, North Carolina; John Antczak in Los Angeles; Rio Yamat in Las Vegas; Denise Lavoie in Richmond, Virginia; and Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed.
With an American flag reflected in the Willamette River, people sit on their paddle boards and listen to the music at the Waterfront Blues Festival on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A slow-moving and potentially record-setting heat wave is spreading across the Western U.S., sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
A child jumps off the dock at Cathedral City Park into the Willamette River on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A slow-moving and potentially record-setting heat wave is spreading across the Western U.S., sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Corinne Dickey, of Portland, Ore., cools off under a mister while attending the Waterfront Blues Festival on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A slow-moving and potentially record-setting heat wave is spreading across the Western U.S., sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
People walk on the dock at Cathedral City Park on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A slow-moving and potentially record-setting heat wave is spreading across the Western U.S., sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Gina Rowlett uses the mister to cool off at the Waterfront Blues Festival on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A slow-moving and potentially record-setting heat wave is spreading across the Western U.S., sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Radha Ramya, second from right, eats her ice cream with family members Nadamuni Ramya, from left, Dinakar Ramya, Nirvi Ramya and Devineni Ramya at the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Sherri Thompson uses her disability parking sign to fan off as she waits for the Cook Plaza cooling center to open on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Gresham, Ore. Thompson has lived in her car for three years, and can only run its air conditioning for about 20 minutes at a time as it causes the engine to overheat. A heat wave is spreading across Wester U.S., the national Weather Service said, sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Sherri Thompson, with her chihuahua 14-year-old Kiwahi, arrives at the Cook Plaza cooling center on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Gresham, Ore. Thompson has lived in her car for three years, and can only run its air conditioning for about 20 minutes at a time as it causes the engine to overheat. Thompson said the high temperatures prompted health concerns, as she had been hospitalized for a heat stroke in the past. A heat wave is spreading across Wester U.S., the national Weather Service said, sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Ty Brown, with Cultivate Initiatives, puts ice over bottles of water as workers set up the Cook Plaza cooling center on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Gresham, Ore. A heat wave is spreading across Wester U.S., the national Weather Service said, sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Doll Crain, with Cultivate Initiatives, marks off places for beds as workers set up the Cook Plaza cooling center on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Gresham, Ore. A heat wave is spreading across Wester U.S., the national Weather Service said, sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Sherri Thompson, with her chihuahua 14-year-old Kiwahi, waits in her vehicle for the Cook Plaza cooling center to open on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Gresham, Ore. Thompson has lived in her car for three years, and can only run its air conditioning for about 20 minutes at a time as it causes the engine to overheat. A heat wave is spreading across Wester U.S., the national Weather Service said, sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Jordan Savant, second from left, walks with his family carrying umbrellas on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Sherri Thompson, with her chihuahua 14-year-old Kiwahi, arrives at the Cook Plaza cooling center after waiting for the center to open on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Gresham, Ore. Thompson has lived in her car for three years, and can only run its air conditioning for about 20 minutes at a time as it causes the engine to overheat. A heat wave is spreading across Wester U.S., the national Weather Service said, sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Wesam Horni, center, sells water on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
People fill up their water bottles while attending the Waterfront Blues Festival on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A slow-moving and potentially record-setting heat wave is spreading across the Western U.S., sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
A person cools off during the Waterfront Blues Festival on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A slow-moving and potentially record-setting heat wave is spreading across the Western U.S., sending many residents in search of a cool haven from the dangerously high temperatures. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
