A send off to the rollercoaster ride that was the 2020 Olympics campaign took place at the Waterline Restaurant - a successful end to the big year that saw two of the nation’s youngest athletes come home with big achievements.

The purpose of the Sunday event was to close off the campaign, to welcome the athletes home, and to offer sponsors, family members, and friends of the Olympic athletes an opportunity to hear the experiences and stories of the journey the athletes took to get to the Tokyo Olympics.  

The youngest Olympic athletes on the Cook Islands team, Kohl Tamarua-Horton and Jade Tierney, spoke about their training journeys, costs involved and their experiences inside the Olympic village.

Team manager Tim Tierney and coach Roli Rolleston have recently returned. 

Rolleston said the wrap up for the campaign was a great success.

“For our sports programme it allowed us the chance to officially recognise their success at the Olympics and to also officially thank sponsors, friends and families who have contributed to getting Kohl and Jade to the Olympics.

“It was definitely necessary to have that final closure,” he said.

After making the long journey home, Rolleston said it was essential to give the athletes a few weeks to settle back home to their regular routines before asking them to speak at the wrap up.

In terms of what is next for the team, there is talk for a new campaign to take the athletes to Paris for the 2024 Olympics.

They are also hoping to be able to attend the Junior World Championships in the United States and attend a training camp there.

Rolleston said their plans and the possibility of holding a campaign depend on where the world will be in terms of Covid-19. 

“All in all it was a great evening of sharing stories and celebrating the end to a massive year for both the athletes and all their families, supporters and sponsors.

“The feedback was a huge success.”