Team Fiji says the island countries will have to step up their game with Australia and New Zealand participating in the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.
Secretary General and CEO of the Fiji Olympic Committee, Lorraine Mar. Photo: Fiji Olympic Committee
Athletes from the Trans-Tasman countries will make their Games debut tomorrow in weightlifting, and will also compete in taekwondo, sailing and rugby sevens in Port Moresby over the next fortnight, in the first step towards an expanded Continental Games.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Olympic Committee, Lorraine Mar, welcomes the added challenge.
"As you know in Wallis and Futuna they were there in sailing, which was a trial then. From our point of view, having Australia and New Zealand there will just up the level of competition and hopefully that will push our athletes to perform better as well."
The opening ceremony for the games will take place tonight at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
