Silver medalist on her way to Samoa

SAMOA – The moment Samoa has been waiting for is only a few days away now.

The nation’s first Olympic medalist, Ele Opeloge, is making her way to Samoa next Thursday to accept her weightlifting silver medal from the Beijing Olympics.

The champion weightlifter, her husband and two children are flying over on Virgin Samoa, scheduled to touch down to what is expected to be a hero’s welcome.

When Opeloge spoke to the Samoa Observer two weeks ago, she said she couldn’t wait to come home.

She was especially excited about finally receiving her Olympic medal.

She was also in tears about the overwhelming support she has so far received, including the establishment of the Samoa Observer Ele’s Fund.

On learning last year that she would be awarded the Olympic Silver medal, Opeloge said she was stunned. “You know when you’re out of words, then you express yourself through tears – and that was me when I was first told about it.

“I cried tears of thanks, tears for answered prayers, that the truth has finally been revealed – especially because this is the first time that Samoa has been recorded in the Olympic records in the world.” - PNC