Samoa’s Participation in the Tokyo Olympics Uncertain

APIA, SAMOA – 30 JUNE 2021: The Samoan athletes have been hard in training and planning for months to compete in the worlds’ premium sporting competition but it seems the chances of the locally based athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics next month remains uncertain.

Team Samoa Chef ‘de mission, Nynette Sass said it’s unpredictable at the moment, especially as countries are quick to close their borders as soon as anything relating to COVID-19 arises.

The team is facing a lot of challenges and the struggle is getting the Samoan based team and athletes out of the country and to Tokyo.

“We made bookings for all athletes in New Zealand and Australia but it is still uncertain if they are able to fly out,” said Nynette.

“With the number of new COVID-19 cases and a two weeks lock down in Australia, we have been advised that by the time they come out, it will be a day only before they leave for Japan,” she said.

“If it’s extended then those guys in Australia won’t be able to leave and that is the end of it for them, and it’s a similar scenario with New Zealand,” said Nynette.

“She said Team Samoa has been doing a lot of soul searching lately because of the risk in Tokyo which they are very much aware of.”

With borders closing quickly there is no guarantee for Team Samoa returning sooner if they went to Tokyo and that’s another risk factor the team has considered.

“There is still a strong drive for the Olympics to happen but the risks of all team members and athletes are of the utmost importance,” she said.

The Olympics were postponed from last year to next month, however, should the situation remains at high risk, then it might not happen after all.

She said the International Olympics Committee (IOC) said the games can only be cancelled once, because they are cutting in the next Olympics in Paris.

“If the Olympics does not happen now, it won’t happen at all and I feel sorry for the athletes who have committed to training, but again we have to think of safety and welfare first,” said Nynette.

As for the team fundraising campaign, they have received assistance from the IOC and have secured sponsors.

The campaign budget is over a one million talā and they have submitted a request to the Caretaker Cabinet through the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture but have not received a response yet.

“We understand the current situation of the country and we are not expecting much and we are trying to cut down costs as much as possible,” said Nynette.

Team Samoa’s locally based qualified athletes include 3 weightlifters and 2 boxers.