Seven sports to represent Fiji in the Japan Olympics
SEVEN sports are likely to represent Fiji at the 2020 Olympic Games which will be held in Japan next July.
Rugby sevens' men and women teams have qualified.
The Fiji men's 7s team is the defending champion after the Ben Ryan-coached and Osea Kolinisaucaptained outfit defeated Great Britain in the Rio Olympics gold medal final in 2016.
Other sports that are likely to make it to the Japan games next year pending qualifications are archery, athletics, karate, swimming, table tennis and judo.
“Two sports have secured their spots to represent Fiji at the Olympic Games. They are the rugby 7s men and women. There are seven selected sports vying to represent Fiji at the Olympic Games,” Bower said at the Japanese ambassador to Fiji’s residence at Tamavua, Suva on Thursday.
“Universal places have been offered for two places for swimming and athletics for one.”
Representing sports likely to go to Japan during the reception were athlete George Fong from archery, Banuve Tabakaucoro and his coach Bola Tafoou from athletics, Tevita Tamani from karate and his manager Eroni Qiolevu, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Alasio Naduva, and Livai Ikanikoda -rugby 7s men, and Fijiana 7s skipper Raijieli Daveua and coach Saiyasi Fuli, swimming – Epeli Rabua and coach Sharon Smith, table tennis star Sally Yee and coach Harvie Yee. Judo's Tevita Takayawa is based and training in Japan. He is likely to return to Fiji before the games when the travel restrictions are lifted.
Japan’s ambassador to Fiji Masahiro Omura, hosted the reception to mark the initial date of the postponed games (July 23, 2020) and herald the new date, July 23, 2021.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, Minister for Sport Parveen Kumar, International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Dr Robin Mitchell, FASANOC , ONOC and sporting organisations representatives.
The games opening ceremony will be held on July 23, next year.