15 Aug 2008

Faumuina feels Vili will go well in Beijing

8:23 am on 15 August 2008

New Zealand's former world athletics champion Beatrice Faumuina feels Valerie Vili has the mental toughness to succeed in the Olympic shot putt on Saturday night.

Faumuina, who won her world discus title in 1997, will compete in her fourth Olympics in qualifying in Beijing on Friday.

She feels Vili has the ability to take on the pressure and expectation that the nation has on her.

Faumuina says Vili and her coach are looking after it as best as they can and their sole focus will be on Saturday.

Vili has kept out of the spotlight this week and hasn't spoken to the media.