Boost for Team Fiji
FIJI has set another Olympic Games history.
Yesterday at the Olympic House in Suva which is the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) headquarters, Team Fiji officials, representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Fiji and International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Dr Robin Mitchell, officiated in Fiji’s first ever Olympic Games flag raising ceremony.
It was to mark a year away from the start of the 2020 Summer Olympics which will be from Friday, July 23 to Sunday, August 8, next year in Tokyo, Japan.
About 11,091 athletes from 206 nations including Fiji are expected at the games which is to start next July 23 at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo.
Dr Mtchel said it was a big relief for Fiji to get into the Olympics gear again after the COVID-19 pandemic obstruction.
“It is a milestone for us that the working together and stronger together logo from the IOC symbolises what sport is all about,” Dr Mitchell said.
“Sport brings people together. There are many divisions caused by rivalries in political or otherwise, but among activities that bring people together is sport. You are separated by the teams that you support, but esentially you notice the change in attitude in some countries when sport starts. The best example is the start of the Korean football league. When it started the whole world tuned in to watch it live.”
Fiji is expected to send about 40 athletes – two rugby 7s teams (men and women) which have qualified and individuals who are trying to qualify such as judo (1), Karate (1), table tennis (1), athletics (2), archery (1), karate (1) and swimming (2).
Dr Mitchell said Fiji was among the first countries to get their preparation underway after sports restrictions were lifted.
“The reaffirmation of the year to go ceremony for the Olympics was a good sign and strengthens unity and working together as sport crosses all barriers starting at the lower level for sports for all and going through the tough time when athletes had to train through the environment they live in and going on to prepare for the Olympic Games.
“Many countries are still in lockdown, but this is a signal that the games in Tokyo is going ahead as announced.”
Chef de mission Patrick Bower is adamant that Fiji athletes would perform well.