Road to Paris: Fiji, Solomon Islands

Paris 2024, which kicks off next week, promises an unforgettable experience for all competitors and spectators including those from the Pacific.

The Olympics gives Team Pacific a chance to move beyond their own struggles while embracing a new vision for the world’s biggest sporting event.

Against the majestic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, we will preview, schedule, and bring you the stars to watch from the Pacific Island nations.

Fiji

Thirty-two athletes will represent Fiji at the Olympics. It is the nation’s 15th appearance at the Olympics. Fiji won two gold medals, and one bronze at the 2016 and 2020 Games.

This year, their dual-gold medallists have a chance to complete a trifecta of Olympic glory.

Athletes to watch:

Fiji Men’s Rugby Sevens will compete to become the first ever nation to win gold for the sport in both competitions at the Olympics.

Fiji Sevens during training in Libourne, France. Photo/Fiji Rugby.

When you think of rugby sevens at the Olympics, you think of the Flying Fijians and their back-to-back gold medals in the past two Games.

And despite some poor performances over the last years in the sevens circuits, Fiji Rugby is confident the team will do well in Paris.

Dual gold medalist Jerry Tuwai will lead the squad, while several Fijian Drua players have been called up by head coach Osea Kolinisau.

Notable inclusions from the Drua include lighting winger Selestino Ravutaumada and powerful mid-fielder Iosefo Masi.

Head coach Osea Kolinisau is confident his side will “get the job done”.

“The Olympic Games are a unique event, and our biggest challenge will be adjusting to the rhythm and flow that comes with the international stage, given our limited time together. However, I am confident in the talent and experience of our players.”

Sophia Morgan in action for Fiji. Photo/University of Auckland.

Sophia Morgan will compete in the women’s ICLA 6 sailing event, and it will be her second appearance at the Olympics - her first was as a 17-year-old in 2020, and now she is eager to improve on her last performance.

Morgan retold the inspiring moment of watching Fiji receive their first-ever medal at the Olympics, and how important that was in her growth as an athlete.

“I was in class that day,” she recalls of the men’s rugby sevens final in Rio in 2016.

“It felt like the whole of Fiji was quiet because everyone was just watching or listening to it. When they won the gold medal, it was a massive celebration.

“Rugby is so big in Fiji, so to see the (men’s) sevens team winning gold was quite inspiring. It really made you think, ‘I can do that too'.”

Morgan’s journey to qualify for Paris 2024 saw her competing in regatta competitions around the world, including the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, where she claimed two silver medals.

Team Fiji: Gerard Takayawa (Men’s +100kg Judo, Viliame Ratului ICLA 7 Sailing, David Young Men’s 50m freestyle, Anahira McCutheon Women’s 50m freestyle, Vicky Wu men’s singles table tennis, Lolohea Navuaga Naitasi women’s 67kg taekwondo, Venice Traill women’s 67kg taekwondo.

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands will compete in its 11th consecutive Olympic Games. Team Solomons is sending three athletes to the Paris games. The Solomons have not won a medal at the Olympics.

The Solomons made their Olympic debut in 1984 in Los Angeles, sending three athletes to compete: Johnson Kere, Charlie Oliver, and Leslie Ata.

Since the LA Games, the Solomons have never sent more than four athletes to the Olympics. Forty years on from their Olympic debut, the island nation is sending two athletes to Paris.

Athlete to watch: Long-distance runner Sharon Firisua will compete in her third Olympics in the women’s marathon. Firisua returns to the track after announcing her retirement from competition, following the Honiara Games.

Sharon Firisua will compete in the women's marathon event at the Paris Olympics. Photo/Oceania Sports.

But, the long-distance runner will lace up the boots for the Solomons one last time in Paris.

“I’m very happy to attend the Olympics again for the third time. Many athletes try to attend one or two, but I managed to attend three times which is very good.”

Last year, Firisua was emotional about her exit from the sport, but now she is excited to continue competing. She has been in training camp in Melbourne and recently travelled to Paris to prepare for the Games.

Team Solomon Islands: Pemberton Lele (63.4kg men’s boxing), Isabella Rosa Miller (women’s swimming).