On the world stage
As the Queen’s Baton begins its 123,000-mile journey around the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, STEVEN DONN speaks to the sporting hero of the smallest nation competing in Glasgow next year and discovers a remarkable tale of medal glory and political intrigue
ONE wonders i f Barack Obama had done his homework on his new acquaintance. Standing between t he American President and the First Lady was the diminutive leader of a tiny Pacific island, in New York t o address t he United Nations.
It may have looked like any other photo opportunity as the 64th UN General Assembly got underway but Marcus Stephen, t hen President of Nauru, is a man — and sportsman — less ordinary.
That day in September 2009, Stephen made a moving speech on the difficulties faced by countries such as his in the face of economic hardship and climate change. It wasn’t the first time he carried the weight and hopes of his homeland on his broad shoulders.
More than 20 years earlier, Stephen left Nauru for Australia on a government scholarship. It would be the catalyst for a remarkable sporting career that would lead him into the political arena.
‘I went to St Bede’s College in Melbourne,’ t he 44- year- old recalled. ‘As well as weightlifting, I was interested in Australian Rules Football. I was also playing rugby union and cricket. I was even vice-captain of the rugby team.
‘After about six months, I wasn’t allowed to play any other sport. I went to the cricket team and they said I couldn’t play. The rugby team said I couldn’t play.
‘I was wondering what was going on as I was vice-captain. I should have made the side pretty easily.
‘I went back to weightlifting and later found out that my coach had set it all up. I was 16 at the time.’
Four years l ater and t he Commonwealth Games were coming to Auckland. Stephen’s talent had been recognised and he was training with Australia’s elite.
However, there was a hurdle to his participation in New Zealand. Nauru, although a Commonwealth member, did not have a Commonwealth Games Association (CGA). With a population of under 10,000 and, up until that point, no elite athletes, it had never been needed. Now one would have to be created if Stephen was to compete.
‘I was 20 years old when the Commonwealth Games came to Auckland in 1990,’ he said. ‘It was interesting because, at that time, we weren’t a member of the Commonwealth Games family.
‘A few days before the opening ceremony, they had their annual general assembly and Nauru’s application was accepted. We had never participated before then. Up until then, it had been too big.’
And, for Stephen, it was about to get bigger.
‘In my first Games, I won one gold medal and two silver,’ he said. ‘I think it was a big surprise as I was not ranked in the top three in any of the disciplines (the 60kg snatch, 60kg clean and jerk, and 60kg combined).
‘ To come away with those medals was a fantastic result. Back home, the nation went crazy. There was a national holiday named after me the next day.
‘When I came back to Nauru, there was a national parade. It was just unbelievable. There was a big reaction from the whole nation.’
For some, being a national hero might have been enough. However, for Stephen, this was just the beginning. He expected better — and demanded it of himself. And the standards he set, after that first Games, are still the benchmark for the Nauru athletes to this day.
‘The 1990 Commonwealth Games was a success, but it was also disappointing,’ he said. ‘Because I could have won three golds. I missed a couple of lifts. So, for the next four years, it sucked!
‘I said: “At the next Games in Canada, they are going to be all mine. It made me determined to train harder and improve. And of course, in 1994, I won three golds.
‘I was lucky because, in the run up to Victoria, I’d injured both my wrists. In fact, two weeks before, I couldn’t lift anything above my head — that’s how painful it was.
‘So I took some painkillers and put a whole tape round each wrist. I just managed to get through it, although afterwards both my wrists were double the size.
‘Before then, I’d also competed at the Olympics in Barcelona for Samoa, as Nauru had no Olympic Committee. They had thought it would be a tragedy if one of the best athletes in the region couldn’t compete.
‘We made arrangements for our two countries’ leaders to meet.
‘I became a Samoan overnight and they gave me a passport. I was really grateful — and I am still a Samoan now. I finished eighth.
‘At the Commonwealth Games in 1998, I again won three golds and defeated the Olympic and world champions to do it, which was pretty special. In 2002, I won three silvers.’
Seven Commonwealth gold medals were won in weightlifting, a nd five silvers, in the space of 12 years. Three Olympic Games refused to yield a title, but a World Championship silver was another prize for this most inspiring of athletes.
He had served his country with distinction — but, as he was soon to discover, the great and good are rarely allowed time to rest.
‘I retired following the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The body was too old to continue with the hard training. The next year I was elected as a member of parliament,’ said Stephen, whose father, Lawrence, had also been a politician. ‘It wasn’t to follow in my father’s footsteps, though.
‘The country was in a financial mess. There were lots of problems and the people were demanding changes. I was asked to stand.
‘When the people come to your house wanting you to stand and your country is in a lot of trouble, you can’t say no. That’s how I got into politics. I’m still involved. I was re-elected last June. I’m still
We might be a small nation of 10,000 but, from day one, we have set the bar very high
young, but I’ve now been involved in politics for over 10 years.’
For four of those years, Stephen held the office of President. Allegations of corruption proved unfounded, but he resigned from the presidency in 2011. It says much for his character and his resolve that he still serves.
‘Politics is very different to sport,’ he said. ‘But many years in sport can help your political career. Especially with discipline and because you have travelled the world and seen how countries and organisations do things.
‘I would recommend it to people who are willing to make a big difference to their country and who are willing to work hard.
‘Politics isn’t easy. I was involved in an individual sport — it was me versus the bar. In politics, it’s more about being a team and about compromise.’
Perhaps the one thing that has sustained him through both his political and s porting careers i s the determination to be the best. Stephen has always recognised the value of who he is and what he has achieved. There’s no ‘small nation’ mentality here.
‘I’ve met many people,’ he said. ‘I’ve met Presidents. Probably my biggest thrill was when I met (the late former IOC president) Juan Antoni o Samaranch in 1994. He was a leader I looked up to.
‘It’s nice to meet these people, like the Obamas. But, to me, they are l eaders of their country — I’m also a l eader of my country.’
Stephen will be in Glasgow next year in his role as president of his country’s CGA and is confident they will continue to build on his legacy. After all, this is a nation that has won 28 medals since 1990, including 10 gold. Most of them coming from weightlifting.
‘I always look forward to the Commonwealth Games,’ said Stephen. ‘We haven’t missed out on a medal since we became a member. And we have only missed out on a gold medal at one Games since 1990. It’s something we have a lot of pride in.
‘We feel, on a population ratio, we are the most successful country as we have never missed out on a medal. We appreciate the value of that medal.
‘There are countries bigger than us who don’t win any medals. We always target gold, silver and bronze. That’s why we never take a big team. We have very high qualification standards. We have a very proud history.
‘We might be a small nation of 10,000 people but, from day one, we have set the bar very high.
‘I’m really looking forward to Glasgow — and to seeing that record continue.’