GUAM - In her address, Governor Leon Guerrero welcomed participants on behalf of the people and Government of Guam and shared a powerful reflection on Guam’s rich cultural heritage.

She spoke of the island’s early navigators—seafarers from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Malaysia—who settled in Guam over 4,000 years ago using only their traditional knowledge, guided by the stars, ocean currents, and winds.

She drew a parallel between this legacy of resilience and innovation and the leadership qualities seen throughout the Pacific, particularly in sport, governance, and cultural preservation.

The Governor emphasized the significance of Guam hosting this landmark gathering, describing it as an honour for the island and a testament to the region’s growing voice in the Olympic Movement.

She expressed sincere appreciation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its continued dedication to advancing sport and empowering communities worldwide.

A special tribute was made to IOC President His Excellency Dr. Thomas Bach, who was in attendance for what marks one of his final official visits before concluding his term.

Governor Leon Guerrero acknowledged Dr. Bach’s transformative leadership, praising his enduring commitment to Olympic values and his efforts to protect the integrity of sport.

She thanked him for accepting a long-standing invitation from ONOC Secretary General Ricardo Blas to visit Guam, noting the meaningful impact of his presence.

The Governor also paid tribute to Dr. Robin Mitchell, President of ONOC, commending his decades of leadership, his role in strengthening regional unity, and his advocacy for Oceania’s place in the global sporting arena.

Recognising the Assembly’s electoral proceedings, Governor Leon Guerrero lauded all candidates standing for leadership positions as exemplars of service and dedication.

She highlighted the Assembly as a celebration of democracy and collaboration in the Olympic spirit.

In her remarks, the Governor proudly announced Guam’s largest Olympic delegation since 1996, with eight athletes qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

She acknowledged each by name - Rckaela Aquino, Mia-Lahnee Aquino, Manami Iijima-Martin, Maria Escano, Joseph Green, Raina Taitingfong, Regine Tugade, and Nicola Legatao - and reaffirmed her administration’s full support for their Olympic journeys.

She also acknowledged the efforts of Mr. Ricardo Blas, ONOC Secretary General and President of the Guam National Olympic Committee, for his leadership in making the event a success, and reaffirmed Guam’s commitment to supporting the Olympic Movement through initiatives in education, youth empowerment, and community health.

In closing, Governor Leon Guerrero described sport as a “cultural language” that unites people and opens doors of opportunity.

She encouraged delegates to use the Assembly to advance meaningful dialogue, strengthen regional collaboration, and influence positive change across the Pacific and beyond.

With a message of pride and unity, Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero officially declared the 45th ONOC Annual General Assembly open.