Team Fiji chef de mission Cathy Wong expects a good number of athletes to take part at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“We’re looking at 54 athletes including officials,”Wong said
“It will be the biggest squad ever to go the Olympic Games. We’ve been in touch with our High Commissioner to Brazil Cama Tuiloma and are aware of the team’s preparation.”
Yesterday Wong highlighted on what to expect in 10 months as Team Fiji prepares for Rio.
“Our estimated participation budget is $1million and our estimated preparation budget is $3.9m and FASANOC chief executive Lorraine Mar is putting together a budget to be submitted to the Government for consideration before the November budget announcements.
“Potential sports likely to qualify are women’s 7s rugby team who will play Oceania Championship next month in New Zealand.
“Shooter Glen Kable is close to qualifying.
“Weightlifters Apolonia Vaivai currently training at the Oceania Centre in Noumea with Manueli Tulo.
“Archer Robert Elder is four points into qualifying and he has to participate in to two other tournaments in Turkey and Tonga so he is four points shot in qualifying.
“Judo athletes will be mostly training in Japan and we’re trying to get them to go to Europe for good competition.
In athletics we have Younis Bese, Banuve Tabakaucoro while in swimming we’ve identified s Ratu Meli Malani who is currently training in the United States and Matelita Buadromo who will be leaving for Australia soon.
So these are our potential qualifiers for the Olympic Games,” Wong said.
Two sports which have been included in the game is rugby 7s of which Fiji has qualified and golf.
The 2016 Rio Olympics is scheduled for August 5-21.