The city lights of Seoul, South Korea, bear an extra sparkle for the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) as they anticipate the election of Fijian medical doctor and ONOC president, Robin Mitchell as the permanent president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), later this week.

While Dr Mitchell has acted on the position since 2018, the current XXVI (26th) ANOC general assembly is where the election of the permanent presidency of the association of 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will conclude given presidential nominations, which closed earlier this year rendered Mitchell unopposed.

Aside from being International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board member, IOC member, ANOC acting president, and among numerous IOC Commission leader- ship and membership, Dr Mitchell is president of ONOC, the IOC’s smallest Continental Association by virtue of population and NOC number.

Oceania Vision

However, for what the Oceania Continent lacks in population size and NOC numbers, the continent is arguably the world’s largest given the size of its oceanic home, the Pacific Ocean, and the diverse challenges it presents to the NOCs in Pacific island countries.

Dr Mitchell has provided leadership in sport in one of the most challenging continents in the world.

This is where countries face challenges in internet access and connectivity, isolation, great geographical distances between nations, lack of proper sporting facilities, lack of access to technical officials and coaches.

Coupled with the ever-existent challenge of lack of competition for its elite athletes.

He has spent several decades building relationships across diverse countries, regions, and peoples to broker opportunities for training camps for Pacific Island athletes.

Dr Mitchell is now embarking on an ambitious ONOC Brisbane 2032 programme seeking to champion Pacific Islands-led and designed planning for Pacific Islands athletes and entourage.

The long-term vision Dr Mitchell has established for Oceania has reaped progressive rewards, but the quiet-spoken doctor is still adamant more needs to be done to improve the condition and opportunities of athletes in the Pacific Islands.

It is this sensitivity to sports people and learning cultures coupled with the initial background in science, and hallmark sports diplomacy that has enabled Mitchell to lead Oceania into the global Olympic movement.

The same could be a beacon for the Association of National Olympic Committees and the athletes under their wings.

The Oceania National Olympic Committees stand ready to celebrate this fine achievement by a son of the Pacific.

Source -ONOC

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