Pacific Powerhouses: Athletes from the Islands at the 2024 Olympics
As the world gears up for the spectacle of the 2024 Paris Olympics, amidst the grandeur and glory, 105 athletes from the Pacific Islands are ready to make waves of their own.
From the small Micronesian country of Palau to the mountain ranges of Papua New Guinea, these competitors bring not just their incredible talent but also the spirit Pasifika culture to the global stage. Get to know the athletes representing the Moana here; and stay updated on what days they take to the global stage of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad!
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American Samoa
‘Le Motu o Fiafiaga’ sends two athletes to the 2024 Summer Olympics, in swimmer Micah Masei Men’s 100m breaststroke and track star/flagbearer Filomenaleonisa Iakopo in the Women’s 100m
Team American Samoa: Micah Masei, Filomenaleonisa Iakopo
Cook Islands
Avaiki Nui will also be sending two athletes to Paris, with Lanihei Connolly looking to make a splash in the Women’s 100m breastroke, and Alex Beddoes taking to the track in the Men’s 800m.
Team Cook Islands: Lanihei Connolly, Alex Beddoes
Fiji
Fiji, the largest delegation to come from the Pacific, is taking a total of 33 athletes, with the Fiji Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens team among the favourites to secure medals. Also on the squad is Venice Traill, competing in the Women’s Taekwondo +67kg division. We recently caught up with Venice ahead of her trip to Paris, check her out in her ‘My World’ here!
Team Fiji: Anahera McCutcheon, David Young, Fiji Mens Rugby Sevens, Fiji Women’s Rugby Seven, Gerard Takayawa, Lolohea Navuga Naitasi, Sophia Morgan, Venice Traill, Vicky Wu, Viliame Ratului, Waisake Tewa
Federated States of Micronesia
FSM are looking to bring light to their nation as three athletes represent their flag at the Olympic Games. Swimmers Kestra Kihleng and Tasi Limitaco are hitting the pools at the Women’s 50m freestyle and 100m breastroke respectively, and Scott Fili to run for FSM in the Men’s 100m.
Team Federated States of Micronesia: Kestra Kihleng, Scott Fili, Tasi Limitaco
Guam
The American territory sends a total of eight athletes to the Olympic Games, with sports ranging from Canoe Sprints to Judo. Guam lays claim to the sole Triathlon athlete from the Pacific, with Manami Iijima aiming for a high result in the discipline; as well as the only athlete to compete in two separate disciplines, Raina Taitingfong will be representing her home island in the Canoe and Kayak Sprints.
Team Guam: Joseph Green, Manami Iijima, Maria Escano, Mia Aquino, Nicola Lagatao, Raina Taitingfong, Rckaela Aquino, Regine Tugade
Kiribati
Kiribati sends three athletes to the French capital, each in quite varied disciplines. Nera Tiebwa is hoping to throw down as she competes in the Womens Judo -57kg division, Kaimauri Erati looks to lift up his country’s spirits in the Mens Weightlifting 61kg division and Kenaz Kaniwete running for gold in the Men’s 100m.
Team Kiribati: Kaimauri Erati, Kenaz Kaniwete, Nera Tiebwa
Marshall Islands
Four athletes will be representing the Micronesian nation of the Marshall Islands in its fifth Olympic Games in two swimmers (Kayla Hepler, Phillip Kinono), one track athlete (William Reed) and one weightlifter (Mattie Sasser).
Team Marshall Islands: Kayla Hepler, Mattie Sasser, Phillip Kinono, William Reed
Palau
Palau sends three athletes to the world-renowned ‘City of Love’, in swimming siblings Jion and Yuri Hosei, as well as track athlete Sydney Francisco, who will be running in the Women’s 100m.
Team Palau: Jion Hosei, Sydney Francisco, Yuri Hosei
Papua New Guinea
PNG sends seven athletes to the 2024 Summer Olympics, where 2020 flagbearer, weightlifter Morea Baru will be making his third Olympic appearance. Other athletes to look out for include John Ume who will compete in the Men’s Boxing 63.5kg division, and swimmers Georgia-Leigh Vale and Josh Tarere
Team Papua New Guinea: Georgia-Leigh Vale, Gibson Mara, John Ume, Josh Tarere, Kevin Kassman, Leonie Bei, Morea Baru
Samoa
Samoa will compete as the Pacific’s second largest contingent as 24 athletes hope to make ‘Le Penina O Le Pasefika’ proud. Medal contenders include the Men’s Rugby Sevens team, Heavyweight boxer Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, as well as weightlifter Don Opeloge who will be competing in the Men’s Weightlifting 102kg division. Opeloge in the nephew of Ele Opeloge, who is to date Samoa’s only Olympic medal winner, when she won silver at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
Team Samoa: Alex Rose, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, Don Opeloge, Eroni Leilua, Gaku Akazawa, Iuniarra Sapolu, Johann Stickland, Kaiya Brown, Samalulu Clifton, Samoa Rugby Sevens team, Tuva’a Clifton, Vaimooia Ripley, William Tai Tin
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands sends three athletes to the 2024 Summer Olympics. Isabella Millar aims to make a splash in the Women’s 50m Freestyle, and Sharon Fisirua aiming to win big on the track in the Women’s 100m. Boxer Pemberton Lele qualified as wildcard for the Games and is poised to compete in the Men’s 63.5kg division.
Team Solomon Islands: Isabella Millar, Pemberton Lele, Sharon Fisirua
Tonga
The Pacific’s only remaining monarchy sends four athletes to Paris, looking to add to their medal tally. Fe’ofa’aki Epenisa is the first woman to represent Tonga in boxing, where she will compete in the Women’s 60kg division. Joining her is 21 year old swimmer Noelani Day, who holds the record for being the youngest to swim the Apolima Strait in Samoa, having completed the feat at only 14 years of age
Team Tonga: Alan Uhi, Fe’ofa’aki Epenisa, Maleselo Fufofuka, Noelani Day
Tuvalu
Tuvalu is on more than a mission to just compete, as they also hope to bring awareness to the effects climate change and sea level rises have on its islands by sending two athletes to the 2024 Olympic Games. Both competing on the, track Karalo Maibuca and Temalini Manatoa are running in the Men’s and Women’s categories respectively.
Team Tuvalu: Karalo Maibuca, Temalini Manatoa
Vanuatu
Last but most definitely not least, Vanuatu sends six athletes to the upcoming Olympic Games, the most they’ve taken since the 1992 Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain. Weightlifter Ajah Pritchard-Lolo hopes to put forward an amazing performance in the Women’s 81kg division, and Judoka Hugo Cumbo takes to the mat in the Men’s +81kg division
Team Vanuatu: Ajah Pritchard-Lolo, Chloe David, Hugo Cumbo, Jonathan Silas, Loane Russett, Priscilla Tommy
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Other Athletes To Look Out For
Not only are there Pasifika athletes representing the Moana, there are also a multitude of athletes of Pacific descent representing the nations in which they reside, keep an eye out for them as the Games progress and see Pasifika excellence representing all corners of the globe! Here are a few:
Teremoana Jr Teremoana (Cook Islands): Representing Australia - Men’s Boxing (92kg division)
Maddi Wesche (Samoa): Representing New Zealand - Women’s Shot Put
David Liti (Tonga): Representing New Zealand - Men’s Weightlifting (+102 division)
Vahine Fierro (Tahiti): Representing France - also known as “The Queen of Teahupo’o” Women’s Surfing
- Written by Arts & Culture Journalist Destiny Momoiseā
made with the help of Creative New Zealand