Support and encouragement and not criticisms aimed at athletes are what the nation needs to give to Team Cook Islands, says chef de mission George George.

As Team Cook Islands prepares to represent the country at the London Olympics starting on July 27, there has been more criticism than encouragement for the athletes.

“While we are all proud of these young athletes who have qualified for the games and gone through qualifications – I just can’t believe some of the criticism against our athletes,” says George.

“I’m just appalled at what I’m hearing – people belittling out athletes, especially those that have qualified under their own steam like sprinter Patricia Taea.”

George says that the athletes, mostly in their late teens, have put in all the hard yards to qualify and yet they are not receiving the support they need.

“I mean, to be selected to compete at the Olympics, the pinnacle sporting event for any athlete, is a huge achievement and one the nation needs to celebrate,” says George.

“These kids have committed years of dedication to their sport and I congratulate them for their hard work.”

George is also upset at critics ‘squawking’ about the level of coaching for the athletes.

“Some of these coaches have been working with these athletes for many years as volunteers and when people criticise these kids – it affects not just them but their coaches and worst their families who put everything they earn towards their kids representing the country.”

George even goes as far as saying that Team Cook Islands to any event whether it be a small regional event or large international gathering have always been outstanding ambassadors for the country – medals or not.

“I just wish we had more people praising our kids rather than criticising them for their hard works.”

For George the most hurtful criticism he has heard is the questioning of whether Team Cook Islands athletes are even Cook Islanders.

“All the athletes that have qualified and in the process of qualifying are all Cook Islanders, have lived here in the Cooks at one time or another and have been representing the Cooks for years – all still have family in the Cooks.”

An athlete that has had unfair criticisms says George is 18-year-old national track sprinter Patricia Taea.

“People have been saying that it’s a waste of time to take Patty and some criticisms have been personal and it has upset not only me as chef but her family who work hard to give her everything she needs for her training from good food to good gear.”

Taea has trained as a track sprinter since 2007 and since then has competed in numerous regional and international eventS for the Cook Islands.

Taea holds the Cook Islands national record for the women’s 100m sprint, clocking a time of 12.44 seconds at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2011.

Most recently she achieved a new indoor personal best of 8.06 seconds at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Turkey and placed second in the Oceania region at the event.

Not only has the teenager racked up medals for the Cook Islands – she has continued with a hectic school schedule which saw her named dux of Titikaveka College in 2010.

“I’m just impressed with how she balances training with school and at the same time handle the criticisms to carry on flying the Cook Islands flag,” adds George.

Team Cook Islands confirmed athletes to compete at the Olympics are Patricia Taea (100m sprints), Ella Nicholas (slalom canoeing) and Celeste Brown (swimming).

Yet to qualify and be confirmed for the team are Tepaia Payne (swimming), Joshua Utanga (canoeing), Helema Wiliams and Taua Elisa (sailing) and weightlifter Sam Pera Jnr.

“Give our athletes the support they deserve and stop all the criticism that just isn’t the Cook Islands way.”