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Playing at the Olympic Games never crossed Falaniko Faafoi’s mind while growing up in Aleipata, Samoa.
Sereana Salalo/PACNEWS
When he started playing rugby as a 12-year-old boy back in his village, Faafoi was a big fan of Brian Lima.
“I was 12 when I used to watch Coach Lima play for our country, and to be able to wear the national colors under his guidance is something I will cherish.
Twelve years later, he was named on Lima’s 13-man side for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“I am very excited and happy to play alongside the boys, carrying the flag of our nation at the world’s biggest games,” he said.
“The joy for us is how hard we worked the last four years to get to this stage because we wanted to be Samoa’s first Rugby Sevens team to qualify.
“This also made Rugby Sevens the first team sport for Samoa to qualify for the Olympics, and that will always be special for us.”
Despite not advancing to the quarterfinals, it was an honour for the 22-year-old, who is the youngest member of the team, to carry the name of his family and country at the Paris Games.
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About ONOC
Established in 1981, the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) is one of five Continental Associations. It looks after the interests of 17 member nations in the Oceania Region, including Australia and New Zealand as well as seven associate members.
ONOC has an office in Guam where Secretary General Mr. Ricardo Blas is based and the Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, where the Office of the President Dr Robin Mitchell is located.
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For more information, please contact;
Sitiveni Tawakevou
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sitiveni@oceanianoc.org
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