Athletics Fiji is now going through the list of athletes who have achieved qualifying ties and distances for the first national trials for the Sol2023 Pacific Games at the end of this year.

Athletics Fiji national coach Albert Miller said eligible athletes need to participate in the three trials for consideration for the PG regardless of quality qualifying standards.

“We’ve had the delay (Coke Games) from COVID and the athletes are coming back pretty strong,” Miller said.

The times from last year compared to this year; this year performances are far better than last year which indicates that athletes are getting back to their level in terms of performance,” he said.

Miller is content with the crop of athletes showing up; both men and women in their respective events.

“It’s just an indication that the coaches and the schools are putting in the hard yards and it’s shown on the track,” he said.

“If these athletes perform the same way over the next weeks on a better track; I’m sure they’ll run even faster.”

Miller has set a target to surprise their biggest opponent Papua New Guinea at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that all the athletes that performed well during the last few days of the Cokes will put their hands up and be part of Team Fiji,” he said.

Athletics Fiji along with the coaching staff are currently in their planning phase to call athletes in according to their events; in coaching clinics/talanoa sessions to discuss on how to regain Fijis winning ways in the Pacific Games.

The 2023 Pacific Games, officially known as the XVII Pacific Games, will be a continental multi-sport event for Oceania countries and territories that is scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands between November 19 and December 2, 2023.

This will be the first time the Solomon Islands would host the Pacific Games.

The Games were originally scheduled for July 2023. However, in July 2021, the Games organisers requested a date change due to delays in preparation for the games caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Solomon Islands.

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