Olympics legacy passed on to youths

New Zealand’s 162nd Olympian passed on his knowledge of the greatest event on earth to three young athletes destined for the world stage on Tuesday.

Laurie Byers was New Zealand’s 162nd Olympian and represented the country in cycling at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, where he finished 10th in the road race and 18th in the team time trial.

He spoke to Cook Islands sprinters Patricia Taea and Patrick Tuara, young weightlifter Luisa Peters and members of the Cook Islands National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) over lunch alongside New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter.

Byers, who won bronze medals at the 1962 and 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica and Perth respectively, explained it was a great privilege to represent the Cook Islands in front of a massive global audience.

”When they walk in that stadium there’s 120,000 people and millions watching worldwide. When that audience sees the Cook Islands flag, it’s important,“ Byers said.

”They need to sow the seed there for the next generation. What they learn and what they hand down to the next generation is a learning curve. If nobody goes, nobody improves.“

Byers said going to sleep on arrival and not straying from food they had been assigned were two other pieces of advice that were crucial.

”It takes about three to four days before your time clock comes right.“

Both sprinters were excited about competing in the 100m sprint, the glamour event of the Olympics.

”To be among those who are really good is an awesome honour - to run against them will be a good experience,“ Taea said.

Byers said the Cook Islands’ Olympic team of eight athletes could create a legacy as New Zealand had done by learning how other high-profile athletes train.

”Why can’t we have a Usain Bolt?“ Byers said with a smile.