Ian “Thorpedo” Thorpe, a legendary Australian Olympic Gold medallist and World Champion Swimmer, now retired, gives high fives to school kids in the Cook Islands Aquatics Federation (CIAF) programme at the Social Centre beach.

The FINA (Federation Internationale De Natation) the World governing body for Aquatic Sports delegation including the President - Captain Husain Al-Musallam of Kuwait, and Ambassadors Thorpe and Australian Olympic Gold medallist Cate Campbell arrived in Rarotonga on Wednesday for a brief visit meeting with Government and the CIAF.

President of CIAF, Romani Katoa said, it had been awesome having the delegation, and to have good role models for the kids.

“This has been a long time coming and a dream come true, we are happy to have them here, showing them our culture, our island and our hospitality.”

In 2032, the Olympics are set to be held in Brisbane, Australia.

The CIAF swimming programmes in the schools start with the kids at a young age, and already comments have been floated in terms of looking towards Cook Islands swimming representation at   the Brisbane Olympics.

“This is the age group we are targeting for future Olympians so this is where it all starts with this age group 7, 8, 9 - our future Olympic swimmers,” Katoa said.