Oceania wants in on the action

ASIAN Olympic officials have tentatively agreed to a request from Australia to allow countries from Oceania to compete at next year’s Asian Winter Games in Japan, further strengthening ties between the two regions.

Under the proposal from the president of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates, athletes from Oceania nations would be allowed to enter selected events at the next Asian Winter Games, taking place in Sapporo from February 19 to 26.

If approved, representatives from Oceania would be regarded as “guest” athletes, competing under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag.

They will only be allowed to enter individual events and will not be eligible to win any medals.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), has thrown his support behind the plan but said the decision was up to the Sapporo organising committee.

“I hope that they will support this resolution,” Sheikh Ahmad told the OCA General Assembly yesterday. “It will be good for all the athletes.”

Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand and other smaller Pacific nations, does not have its own winter games.

But Coates said the chance to compete against Asia’s top athletes would serve as an ideal preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics, taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea.