Rio's amazing Olympic firsts - CNN

    Rio's amazing Olympic firsts

    By AJ Willingham, CNN

    Updated 1917 GMT (0317 HKT) August 13, 2016

    Judoka Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's first Olympics medal ever, in the first year the country has been represented at the Olympics. (Oh, and she won gold.)
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    Kosovo: First Olympic medal – Judoka Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's first Olympics medal ever, in the first year the country has been represented at the Olympics. (Oh, and she won gold.)
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    The Fijians were the favorites to win the brand-new men's rugby sevens event, and they did so in delightful form. Their win wasn't only Fiji's first Olympic gold, it was also the country's first medal(s!) ever.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    Fiji: First Olympic medal – The Fijians were the favorites to win the brand-new men's rugby sevens event, and they did so in delightful form. Their win wasn't only Fiji's first Olympic gold, it was also the country's first medal(s!) ever.
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    Vietnam's Hoang Xuan Vinh is bringing home his country's first gold after he won the men's 10-meter air pistol shooting event.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    Vietnam: First gold – Vietnam's Hoang Xuan Vinh is bringing home his country's first gold after he won the men's 10-meter air pistol shooting event.
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    Fehaid Aldeehani nabbed gold in the men's double trap, marking the first gold for any athlete competing under the Olympic flag. (Aldeehani is from Kuwait, whose Olympic committee was banned from this year's Games.)
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    Independent Olympic Athletes: First gold – Fehaid Aldeehani nabbed gold in the men's double trap, marking the first gold for any athlete competing under the Olympic flag. (Aldeehani is from Kuwait, whose Olympic committee was banned from this year's Games.)
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    No matter where she appeared on the podium for the women's 100-meter freestyle, U.S. swimmer Simone Manuel would have made history. However, she blew it out of the water, so to speak, when she unexpectedly tied for the gold.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    United States: First African-American woman to win an individual swimming medal – No matter where she appeared on the podium for the women's 100-meter freestyle, U.S. swimmer Simone Manuel would have made history. However, she blew it out of the water, so to speak, when she unexpectedly tied for the gold.
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    So it's not technically a first, but golf returned to the Olympic stage this year for the first time since 1904 (112 years is long enough for it to count).
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    Golf: Returning after a century – So it's not technically a first, but golf returned to the Olympic stage this year for the first time since 1904 (112 years is long enough for it to count).
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    Olympic champion judoka Majlinda Kelmendi was the flag bearer for Kosovo for its inaugural walk in the Parade of Nations.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    Kosovo: First Olympic appearance – Olympic champion judoka Majlinda Kelmendi was the flag bearer for Kosovo for its inaugural walk in the Parade of Nations.
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    Ten athletes are competing under the banner of this new team. The athletes hail from Syria, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    Refugee Olympic team: First Olympics – Ten athletes are competing under the banner of this new team. The athletes hail from Syria, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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    The new country made its Olympics debut with three athletes this year. South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    South Sudan: First Olympics – The new country made its Olympics debut with three athletes this year. South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011.
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    Ibtihaj Muhammad competed in the women's individual sabre, earning her the title of first U.S. athlete to compete wearing a hijab, a religious head covering sometimes worn by Muslim women.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    United States: First hijabi athlete – Ibtihaj Muhammad competed in the women's individual sabre, earning her the title of first U.S. athlete to compete wearing a hijab, a religious head covering sometimes worn by Muslim women.
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    If you noticed something missing from the podium this year, it's probably the large bouquets customarily given to medalists. This year, Olympic officials said the flowers don't represent a sustainable use of resources, and instead chose to hand out these nifty medal stands, which are 3-D versions of the Rio Olympics logo.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    The swag: First Olympics without bouquets for the winners – If you noticed something missing from the podium this year, it's probably the large bouquets customarily given to medalists. This year, Olympic officials said the flowers don't represent a sustainable use of resources, and instead chose to hand out these nifty medal stands, which are 3-D versions of the Rio Olympics logo.
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    With these Games taking place in South America for the first time, Africa remains the only populated continent never to have hosted the Olympics.
    Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
    The venue: First Olympics in South America – With these Games taking place in South America for the first time, Africa remains the only populated continent never to have hosted the Olympics.
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    Story highlights

    • First-time competitors, first-time golds, and first-time recognitions are bright spots
    • Changes to Olympic presentations and representations reflect an evolving world

    (CNN)The Rio Olympics have been mired in controversy and doubt, but as the competition unfolds, it's clear the Games will also be remembered for their firsts.

    Ibtihaj Muhammad to make history in Rio
    Ibtihaj Muhammad olympic fencer hijab orig mg_00010030

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    Two brand-new National Olympic Committees, a refugee team and a historic win by an African-American swimmer are just a few of the defining moments that will be recorded this year with fresh ink.
      The citizens of Fiji and Kosovo saw their countries medal for the first time -- in gold for both, to boot. For American audiences, these Olympics marked the first time a U.S. athlete competed wearing a hijab.
        These religious, cultural and geographic inclusions are all signs of a changing world.
        It seems odd to talk about the expansion of diversity and compassion at an event that is billed as a global celebration of diversity and compassion. Yet, as the refugee team entered the Maracanã Stadium to thunderous applause during the Opening Ceremony, it became clear that, to be considered a truly global affair, the Olympics also needs to be a modern one that recognizes both the challenges and the triumphs of the international community.
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        Amid the shadows of public health and safety fears, infrastructure issues and scandal, these firsts are the bright spots that represent the spirit of the Olympics in its truest form. Click on the gallery above.