Polynesian Bike Hire gives Olympic sprinter a boost

Cook Islands sprinter Patrick Tuara has been given a financial boost ahead of his Olympic Games campaign.

The Olympian was handed a $500 cheque by Arthur Pickering, general manager of Polynesian Rental Cars and Bikes.

Patrick is a part-time worker for Polynesian Rentals and the general manager and staff wanted to do something special for him.

Tuara and the other two Cook Islands athletes still on Rarotonga will be given a traditional farewell from the Ui Ariki at 5pm tomorrow night.

The farewell is usually performed to farewell warriors and representatives. There have been calls for the athletes to receive the traditional farewell in an effort to revive it.

The ui ariki will say their traditional farewells and there will be motivational speakers who have been engaged to inspire the athletes before they leave on Monday.