Olympic team confirmed

The Cook Islands will send a team of eight athletes to the London Olympics next month.

The team was named and confirmed at the Olympic Fun Run last night where sports supporters rallied at the Punanga Nui Markets to support Team Cook Islands athletes.

National sailor Helema Williams, weightlifter Luisa Peters and slalom canoeist Josh Utanga have all received wild cards to compete at the Olympics. Their inclusion in the team was confirmed by both the London Games organising committee and the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee.

In total, the team will be made up of 18 people – eight athletes and 10 officials.

The full Team Cook Islands to attend the games are – chef de mission George George Williamson, team administration Siniva Marsters, swimmers Celeste Brown and Zachary Tepaia Payne accompanied by team manager Romani Katoa and team coach Hugh Dokter, sprinters Patricia Taea and Patrick Tuara accompanied by team manager/coach John Teiti, slalom canoeist Ella Nicholas and her mother/team manager Sue Clarke and coach Aaron Osborne, fellow slalom canoeist Josh Utanga accompanied by his coach Joel Simpson, national sailor Helema Williams accompanied by manager Anne Tierney and coach Ben Paton, and weightlifter Luisa Peters accompanied by manager Unakea Kauvai and coach Sam Pera Snr.

Chef de mission George George is grateful to the people of the Cook Islands for the support shown to the team and athletes.

”I would like to sincerely thank the people and sporting communities of the Cook Islands for their support of Team Cook Islands and our dedicated athletes whose commitment and personal sacrifices have earned them a place to compete in the greatest sporting event in the world, the Olympics,“ says George.

”I am so pleased and honoured that we have made history. This year will see the biggest team ever that we have taken to the Games to represent our small nation, total of eight athletes and 10 officials.“

George also made a special announcement naming national sailor Helema Williams to be the team’s and nation’s flag bearer at the opening of the Olympic Games on July 27.

”This Olympics posed the greatest challenge for us in terms of selection of our flag bearer for the opening and closing ceremony. Two athletes had standout performances in their endeavours over many years to qualify for the Olympics and were both considered exceptional ambassadors for sports and the Olympic values,“ says George.

However, after much discussion and deliberations, a final decision was made.

If for logistical reasons Helema Williams is unable to attend the opening ceremony, then the honour will go to slalom canoeist Ella Nicholas.

”I would like to thank each and every one who has contributed over the years to ensure that our athletes were well-prepared for these games, over the four year cycle, and I encourage all athletes to follow your dreams and one day you may become an Olympian too,“ George said.