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The federation has unveiled a list of 14 men and 15 women for the athletics events at the 2023 Pacific Games, which begin on November 19. All have passed the minimum required performances and are potentially medal-winning. Among them are many young people, with the idea of showing that after the meager results of 2019 and the health crisis, Polynesian athletics has regained color in view of the 2027 Games, scheduled for fenua.
When she took over as president of local athletics in 2019, after the poor results of the Apia Games (10 medals including one gold), Cécile Gilroy decided “ to start from scratch” . At least “a little further than 2019”, to try to give a boost to the different disciplines, particularly on the track. “For several years, there was no development project for athletics, at least for track where there was almost no density ,” she points out. The new team is therefore embarking on a reconstruction project over several years, particularly targeting young people. “We did a project for them, with the federal training center which welcomed juniors and even juniors . ”
In 2021, the announcement of a Tahitian organization for the 2027 Games therefore comes at the right time to bring a significant objective to this roadmap. But before thinking about the blue track of the Pater stadium, the fenua athletes have their eyes fixed on the one – just as blue – of the Honiara National Stadium, where the 2023 Games are taking place, from November 19 to December 2. Fifteen women and fourteen men make up the selection, announced last week. And among them, the first fruits picked by the mandate of Cécile Gilroy. “Four years later we find ourselves with cadets and juniors who are becoming competitive ,” underlines the manager. This year, a third of the selection is under 23 years old. The youngest, Angèle Richard is 14: in the Solomons, she is scheduled for the 1,500 m and could double with the 800.
To succeed in this transition to Tahiti 2027, these young people “who are gaining momentum” like Kiara Gilroy, can count on a team of regulars, like Raihau Maiau, Benjamin Zorgnotti, Damien Troquenet or Takina Bernardino. “Our seniors are confirmed, they have already been prepared for some time, we can count on them ,” assures the president. All of these athletes are potentially medal-winning, since the federation has established its qualifying minimums based on the performances achieved by the medalists of the last three editions.
Forecast results are therefore in the minds of local leaders, but the unknowns linked to the regional level could upset them. “The cards have been quite shuffled since the Covid period. Many Pacific countries suffered and competitions were rare. The last one to have been able to give us information was the Oceanian Cup in June ,” recalls Cécile Gilroy. After these events contested between Australia and the teams from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia – and during which the next generation of Tahitians showed great things – the president of the local athletics knows a little more about the competition. » At the Games this year, there will be the New Zealand and Australian under-20s. And as often, the Papuans and Fijians will be present, amid a record number of athletes for the Pacific Games.
Now reassured about the arrival of young Tahitians on the regional scene, with “this team which will still be young in 2027” , Cécile Gilroy is not forgetting another project. Because if the long-distance and middle-distance disciplines present many hopes of medals, and that “we are quite present in the technical events”, the Tahitian selection is “fishing a little” in the sprint disciplines. “It’s coming back, we are confident for the future ,” she assures. In the meantime, those who are already here are seriously preparing for the November tests. Groupings will be organized and the selection can count on Gilles Follereau, a technician from the French Federation, who arrived at the end of September to train our athletes until the Games.
Women: Pauline Moreau, Lauriane Bisch, Clémence Dede, Sophie Bouchonnet, Salomé De Barthez, Estelle Gentilly, Amandine Matera, Takina Bernardino, Teanavai Perez, Loveleina Wong-Sang, Tess Ayat, Timeri Lamorelle, Kyara Gilroy, Mihivai Atrewe, Angèle Richard.
Men: Benjamin Zorgnotti, Damien Troquenet, Paul Chouteau, Pole-Elie Raoult, Raihau Maiau, Timona Poareu, Mathéo Lada, Tumatai Dauphin, Maitoa Pito, Manuihei Teaha, Kilian Lidec-Potateuatahi, Felice Covillon, Kevin Maroaunui, Teaiki Lenoir.
This selection is likely to lose some elements. Certain athletes, “three or four” according to the president, must confirm their form. Attendance at pre-game gatherings is also a criterion. The official list will be given on November 13.
