Give field event athletes their time to shine, please!

If there was a big lesson and perhaps a setback that we can learn from the 2023 Coca-Cola Games last week, it was the organisers’ failure to give the same prominence it did for track events to the field.

While much of the crowd’s attention was focused on the track events, the field events were given little to no notice on the big screen.

What was it with organisers to allow the cheerleaders to perform their number, and conveniently at that, while a triple jump event was in session?

As a result, the videographer was swayed by popular demand to shift his/her camera to the cheerleaders as opposed to staying focused on the athletes who were giving it their all on the jump-pits.

The crowd and virtual audience watched the cheerleaders with their sassy moves yet missed out on an even greater opportunity to watch that event.

It was sheer disrespect and ignorance on the part of organisers to have drawn up their programme in that manner.

They missed out on a great take and did no justice to the participants’ hard work and dedication.

How great would it have been if our field event athletes were given the same prominence and audience reach as those on the track?

Their medals make the difference on the medal tally. They are a vital part of the Fiji Secondary Schools Cokes finals.

Imagine the opportunities that would open up for these athletes if only they were given their time to shine.

Year after year, we report on overseas education scholarships being given to athletes on the track yet so rare do we find those who make it from the field. Are we doing our part as responsible companies, sponsors and organisers to be fair in our selection criteria?

While those who were unable to be at the HFC Stadium are grateful for the wide coverage offered by media organisations over the three days, such incidents - whether intentional or otherwise - question the objective of the games. Are the athletes really the focus? Or has the whole competition just become another event designed to entertain?

What of these athletes one month from today?

Were they at all inspired to continue in their respective events - perhaps to compete at the upcoming Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands later this year? Or is it just back to the classroom for all and to the rugby paddock for others?

Perhaps for those in the sub-junior and junior grade, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics is something to aspire to?

Did the Coke Games organisers along with Athletics Fiji inspire these upcoming athletes to dream that big?

It can happen when stakeholders collectively work together to develop the diverse talent witnessed on both the tracks and field events last week.

Let’s give our hardworking field athletes equal coverage.

Who knows! Scouts may just find their diamond in the rubble!