Athletics team steps up Glasgow preps

The Athletics Fiji (AF) team will head into a one-week camp at the Suva Apartments on Sunday in preparation for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Commonwealth Games will be from July 23 to August 2.

AF head coach Bola Tafao’ou said the team has been preparing for the Games since last year.

“Some of the athletes were at the Fiji Finals, and some competed at the Oceania Games,” he said.

“Now we are training daily with double sessions.”

Tafao’ou acknowledged the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) for funding their accommodation at the Suva Apartments.

“We have received help from weightlifting coach Henry Elder, who is looking after the athletes’ strength and conditioning,” he said.

“As most of these athletes have individual events, we have different targets for different athletes.”

Tafao’ou said they are hoping to qualify for the semi-finals and record personal best times.

“We didn’t have enough competition,” he said.

“We had one competition at the Oceania Games and one local competition.”

Tafao’ou said there is a need for more athletics competitions in Australia and other Pacific countries.

“The regional competitions would help us prepare,” he said.

“The more we compete, the better we get, especially if we are running against Australian and New Zealand athletes.”

Tafao’ou added that finances are also a challenge for the team in its preparation.

“I’ve told our student athletes that the Commonwealth Games are the third-biggest athletics championship in the world, so they can’t miss training,” he said.

“They have to be disciplined, as everything needs to be spot on to improve their times.”

Tafao’ou said he was impressed with his athletes’ commitment to training.

“I would like to ask the people of Fiji for their prayers and support for this team when we leave our shores to compete at the Commonwealth Games against some of the world’s best athletes,” he said.

Tafao’ou is confident that para-athlete Sitiveni Konataci has a good chance of winning a medal in the discus throw event.

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