Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) president Dr Robin Mitchell says all 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of the International Olympic Committee are expected to attend the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) annual general assembly in Washington D. C, United States next week.
“General Assembly will be held in the USA for the first time in a long time. All 206 NOCs expected to attend,”Dr Mitchell said.
He said all the 17 NOCs from the region (American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu will be represented.
Preceeding the general assembly is the meeting of various commissions (October 27-28) and the assembly is set for October 29-30.
Dr Mitchell is chair of the ANOC Medical Commission and the focus will be on anti-doping testing and the protection of Clean Athletes.
He will also be reporting in his capacity as the continental president of ONOC.
The Rako Cultural Dance group from Fiji will also be performing at the 2nd ANOC Gala Awards Dinner.
Several sporting personalities from the Pacific have been nominated for the Sports Awards during the Gala Awards.
ONOC communications manager Matai Akauola departs tonight to assist ANOC in the preparation of the meeting as well as visit Pacific athletes based in the United States sponsored under the Oceania Sports Foundation.
Akauola is expected to also meet four Fijian athletes, three basketball reps and two swimmers in Iowa.