TOKYO, 30 JULY 2021

The Solomon Islands is using the Tokyo Olympics as a learning ground to inform the design and delivery of the next Pacific Games two years down the line - the XVII Pacific Games, SOL 2023.

“The biggest challenge now is the COVID-19 pandemic and how sports can be delivered in a safe and conducive manner that enhances the performance of our athletes,” said Martin Rara, the President of the National Olympic Committee of the Solomon Islands (NOCSI).

Rara said this was a challenge faced by NOCSI in preparing athletes for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but that it was equally a key factor for any Games of the future, including the upcoming SOL 2023 Pacific Games.

NOCSI is part of the National Hosting Authority (NHA) to deliver the SOL 2023 Pacific Games, the other two hosting members being the Government of the Solomon Islands and the National Sports Council. 

Rara further stated that  the issue of athlete preparation was made possible for Tokyo 2020 through help from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) Olympic Solidarity Programme and the Australian Government’s support through DFAT implemented through the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), the PacificAus Sports Program.

Rara also said, ‘This enables athletes despite the unprecedented situation of COVID-19. NOCSI is just facilitating to support our athletes' ambition and aspiration through these coordinations.’

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Such partnerships have also been critical in Oceania for the delivery of the Pacific Games which is treated as the Continental Games in the pathway to the Olympic Games. 

Rara is using the Tokyo Games as a learning platform to inform the design and delivery of the SOL 2023 and keen to share lessons with the National Hosting Authority when he returns.

‘There is so much we can take back from the Tokyo Olympic Games,’ Rara stated, ‘for example,  the Opening Ceremony, the transport system here, the catering system, the sports schedule and results, the volunteer programme, the accommodation, the overall security, venues, the medal ceremonies, and the NOC guests and associated meeting rooms.’

He said, ‘The most important is how the welfare of our athletes and officials continue to be maintained during the Games. 

‘These are the areas to take back and design a version that is in a Pacific context for our Games in Honiara in 2023.’

In terms of regional and global partnerships toward the Tokyo Olympics, Rara stated that the participation of athletes is also made possible through the support of the IOC and the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC)

‘Credit should be to these two organisations as the fuel to all  movements and activities leading up to Tokyo.  

‘And therefore, there is a very big word of gratitude from the NOC of Solomon Islands to IOC and ONOC for making sure that the platform for our athletes participation at the Tokyo Games is resourced and financed.’

The IOC through its Olympic Solidarity Programme provides targeted support to athletes via travel to Olympic Games, preparation, capacity development, and to NOCs for national games and also regional sporting events such as the Pacific Games.