Bainimarama joins Fiji team for Rio flag raising

FIJI/OLYMPICS – Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is on his way to Rio De Janeiro and will be present during the Team Fiji’s flag-raising ceremony at the Olympic Games village.

Bainimarama said he will be going to Rio with the hopes and prayers of every Fijian for “our best Olympic Games ever”.

“Our athletes have never been better prepared,” he said. “And in the case of our men’s rugby sevens team, they are already world champions. So Fiji has the best chance it has ever had to bring back our first gold medal in the summer Olympics.”

“I know that every Fijian will be with me in spirit in Rio as I provide the nation’s collective encouragement to the wonderful men and women who are representing us before the world.”

He said Rio is a great place to demonstrate the Fijian spirit to the world.

“Fiji has never stood taller than it does at these Games. And we know that our athletes will do us proud on and off the field. They know that the eyes of every Fijian will be on them in the exciting television coverage of the various events.”

“It is also a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the Fijian spirit to the world – our skills, determination and sense of fair play.

“So the whole nation joins me in saying to the squad now assembling in Rio – ‘Toso Fiji! Go for Gold.”

Meanwhile, oppostion party leader Sitiveni Rabuka conveyed best wishes for all members of Team Fiji to the team management, officials and athletes in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics.

Rabuka congratulated the athletes and acknowledged their many hours of training, commitment and dedication enabling their qualifying for the pinnacle of their careers.

“As a former national representative in rugby and athletics, I understand the huge responsibility you carry and I pray that you will commit your efforts to God in prayer. Fiji is also praying for you.”

He also congratulated the Chef de Mission and the officials leading the largest ever Fiji contingent to the Olympics.

- PNC sources