Stay safe amidst COVID fear...
Chilling out in Oita, Japan, on July 18, 2021 are members of the Team Fiji men’s rugby sevens players (left-right) Kavekini Tabu, Napolioni Bolaca, Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Taliga and Aminiasi Tuimaba. Photo: FRU Media.
All precautions are taken by Team Fiji officials to ensure the health safety of our Olympic Games athletes and officials.
Team Fiji media officer, Ritesh Ratiram, and another official travelled to the Games Village in Tokyo, on Sunday, to take the uniforms and other luggage. The athletes and officials travelled in their bubbles as the first batch left Oita City for Tokyo yesterday. For health safety reasons, the athletes and officials checked in at different terminals at the airport. Our Team Fiji men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams are expected to leave soon as they are to be at the Games Village, five days before their competition starts.
Meanwhile, men’s rugby sevens gold medal hopeful South Africa are going to be without their coach Neil Powell after he tested positive to COVID-19. According to Wall Street Journal, one element over which organisers have virtually no control, however, is turning out to be one of the most problematic: commercial flights. Positive cases among passengers already are forcing changes to protocols to accommodate the possibility that the journey to Tokyo alone could threaten some athletes’ participation in the Games.
The report indicated that when the South
African men’s rugby 7s team arrived in Tokyo last Tuesday, team members’ tests at the airport were negative, but Tokyo Olympics officials identified all 14 players and four of seven staff members as possible close contacts with the virus carrier, based on their seat numbers.
Ryutsu Keizai University students Tevita Takayawa and Guam’s Joshter Andrew will be out to represent their respective countries at the Olympics.
Takayawa, the son of former judoka champion, Viliame Takayawa (Snr) is continuing his family legacy for the sport.
And last week the Pacific duo paid courtesy call to the Ryugasaki City Mayor, Kazuo Nakayama, and the Ryutsu Keizai University president Yuichi Ueno.
It is their first Olympic Games.
The visit was to discuss about the resolution of the Tokyo Olympics tournament.
In a Facebook post, the Fiji Judo Association applauded the university for their support in the training and preparation of the two athletes.
Mayor Nakaywa pleaded support of the Yukari Dragon City for the athletes.
“Due to corona (virus), there were not many international tournaments and it is a situation that gave us less experience in terms of practice. It is the first time to participate in the Olympic Games, so I want to take a medal,”Takayawa said.
Andrew said: “I’m going to participate in the Olympics for the first time, so I want to do my best.”Edited by Leone Cabenatabua