President to watch London Olympics

July 11, 2012 | Filed under: Fiji Sports | Posted by:

President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau while accepting i-tatau from Team Fiji officials on Monday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR

Source: PACNEWS

President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has confirmed that he will be in London for the 30th Olympic Games.
Ratu Epeli made the revelation when Team Fiji presented its traditional ceremony of farewell ‘I Tatau’ at the President’s residence on Monday.
PACNEWS understands that Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and Minister for Youth and Sports- Captain Viliame Naupoto will be in London for the Games as well.
Team Fiji contingent was led by Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) president Vidya Lakhan.
“You’ll be up against the very best in the world,” Ratu Epeli a keen sportsman told Team Fiji.
“There’s no half measure. Luck is the last thing. No use praying if you have done your training,” said Ratu Epeli.
Team Fiji contingent consisted mostly administrators.
Most of the athletes are already overseas except for young swimmer Paul Elaisa.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be held in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012, followed by the 2012 Paralympic Games from 29 August to 9 September.
Team Fiji has named judoka Josateki Naulu as flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Updates on Team Fiji athletes:

Athletics – Leslie Copeland and coach James Golding have finished their two month training attachment in Saabrucken, Germany where Leslie trained under world renowned Javelin Coach Boris Henry, himself a former Olympian medalist.
Leslie had the opportunity of competing in events in Europe and has adjusted to the change of climate and temperature where it has been rainy and windy. Leslie and James are now based in Preston, in the North West of the UK at the University of Central Lancashire, at a pre-games training camp funded by LOCOG.
Danielle Alakija has been training in the USA and recently participated at the AVIVA Championships in Bedford, UK in unfavorable weather where some races had to be re-run because the cold and rain. She is this week representing Fiji at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Spain and will return to the USA for her final phase of preparations with coach Maurice Greene before joining the team in London.
Alakija was selected based on her performances as she is currently the number one ranked female athlete in Oceania in the 400m with a time of 55.00s. She is also ranked 2nd in the 200m behind PNG’s Toea Wisil.

Shooting – Glenn Kable is currently in Germany training and will travel to Italy next week to take part in an ISSF World Cup event Milan. He will then travel to London to join Team Fiji at the Games Village on July 22.
Swimming – Matelita Buadromo and coach Eugene Panuve flew out of Fiji last week and are based in Preston at the Pre Games Training Centre where Leslie is.

Swimming- Male swimmer Paul Elaisa and section manager Willie Elaisa depart this week and will join up with Matelita in Preston. The swimming team will travel to the Games Village on July 21.

Weightlifting – Manueli Tulo and Maria Liku continue training at the Oceania Weightlifting Centre under the guidance of OWF coach Paul Coffa. They will arrive into Nadi on July 21 where coach, Josefa Vueti will meet then and train locally for two days prior to their departure on July 23 for London. Section manager Atma Maharaj will be awaiting the team’s arrival in London.

Archery – Robert Elder is training in Korea at the Kim, Hyung-Tak Archery Training centre. This attachment has been kindly sponsored by the Korean Olympic Committee. Section manager Richard Elder will join Robert this week in his final phase of preparation. The duo will travel to the UK on  July 16 and have a few days attachment at the PGT in Preston.

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