UNCERTAINTIES.
Monday became a lost day for us, except what could be achieved on the grass and hills around the Leifiifi College compound where we are based in four classrooms of a Primary School. But then we received the Athletics Team Manual and found it would be possible to use the Apia Park National Stadium early and late (around the Rugby matches). So yesterday (Tuesday Aug. 28) we worked there between 7.00 and 8.00 am., able to use most of the facilities (no high jump) and equipment.
THANKS TO SIMON and the L.D.S.
Having a practising member of the Mormon Church with us (Coach Simon) has proved to be more than a technical bonus ! By his contact with the church last weekend, they agreed for us to visit them and use their well-kept grass field (400m. track) and some equipment. So yesterday we also did an evening session including Hurdles, Shot, Middle Distance, and Relay take-overs. Heptathlete Kaitinano made significant progress on sprint Hurdles.
...and the POLICE CONNECTION !
Another bonus from the presence of Simon is his normal function as a police officer. Our line of rooms is just behind the Games Village Police Office. Now we have social visits from the duty staff and "Good night !" as they go off duty !
SUPPORTERS' CLUB.
Well, we do not really have one yet, since we did not find any supporters (from the Samoan population) until Monday ! Then an invitation to visit a Christian pastor resulted in ice-cream and a keen interest in our activities. He has been supplied with a pin and an Athletics schedule for next week. It is hard to expect neutral people to pay to support us ! So, where we can sneak in, we have been trying to provide some encouragement to our lifters and players.
GENERAL VIEW.
I know there are still people (not Kiribati) without accreditation. But we have had no access problems (except being charged $5 to enter a facility to support), good and varied food, a quiet place for sleeping, a living space which is not private but is roomy and as clean as we keep it ! The water supply is reliable. The general demeanour of the teams is good and cheerful, and they are finding enough to do (apart from sleep and play cards !) Weight-Lifting should be very happy after their first two days, with a bronze medal (Tekaei Temake) on day 1. and three silvers (by David Katoatau) on day 2. The Mens' Table-Tennis team is involved in a play-off today. The weather has been kind so far, not raining ON us. We pray for the same next week and for a legal following wind !!
Last Modified on 30/08/2007 08:52