MAKING THE BEST OF IT !
Faced with the situation in the east of Viti Levu, Fiji, the OAA decided to move the Grand Prix meetings to the west of the island. They were lucky to get the co-operation of the school at Xavier College, Ba, for their first meeting on Saturday, Dec. 9th. Then they had the help of local people to mark an 8-lane 400m. track on the grass field, plus some field event markings. Almost like a miracle, everything was set up in less than an hour to run a full meeting with electronic timing, PA system, numbered athletes, officials and equipment in place - remarkable !
WERE WE READY ?
The full results of this Meeting, followed by the "Mini-Meet" at Sigatoka, are on the Oceania AA web-site. Of the Kiribati athletes, Youth Tanroo Taniera (age 16) was nearest his best in the sprints. He finished 3rd. in his 100m. Heat in 12.09 (into a -2.2 headwind) and later clocked 24.24 in 5th. place for the 200m. (Wind -1.7) Meanwhile, Beteru Ateri (in the Grand Prix to do Hurdles) attempted his "bonus" event the HJ. He finished 6th. having only cleared the starting height of 1.60m. Tekooki Teieka, suffering pain from a boil on his leg, nevertheless completed the 1500m. He started well, but eventually finished 4th. in a slow 4-56.41.
In the second Meeting, at Sigatoka Council Ground, it appears from the results that Tanroo was the only I-Kiribati to participate. He improved to 11.88 in the 100m., again into a headwind, of -0.8. Again this was due to be run on grass.
JOINING UP AGAIN.
We expect to be reunited with our GP members, including Harry and Riani, very early tomorrow morning, i.e. Tuesday Dec. 12th. Samoa time ! We are keeping beds for them !
Last Modified on 12/12/2006 14:14