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The path to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has taken 89 Australian athletes to Samoa, in a hunt for medals at the Pacific Games.
Key points:
- This is only the second time Australia has taken part in the 56-year-old Pacific Games
- More than 3000 school children took part in an opening ceremony celebrating Samoan culture
- Samoa's 74-year-old prime minister is competing in archery
They join 3500 athletes from across the Pacific who will compete in the multi-sport competition that has kicked off in Apia.
Despite being held every four years since 1963, this is only the second time Australia has been invited to compete, joining the competition alongside New Zealand in 2015.
Darwin weightlifter Erika Yamasaki was named flag bearer, marching out to a surprising roar from the Samoan crowd on Sunday.
"It was a massive honour," she said.
"The Samoan crowd just made it something else, every time we walked they'd go crazy for us, and the Australian team just loved it."
The Pacific Games is a qualifying event for Olympic weightlifting and Yamasaki hopes it will help her secure a spot for Tokyo 2020.
"This is my last opportunity and [carrying the flag] has given me a lot of encouragement about what the year ahead holds."
Runner Steven Solomon was a finalist in the 400-metre race at the London 2012 Games and says this event is an important milestone on his path to a second Olympic berth.
"A strong performance in Samoa will set up my campaign for Olympic qualification, I want to head into 2020 with some fast performances," he said.
"I know that the flag above my heart will inspire me to great speeds in Samoa."
Opening ceremony wows crowd
More than 3000 school children from 16 schools wowed the crowd with a dazzling display of Samoan culture at the opening ceremony.
Their performance used song, dance and fire to tell the story of Leatiogie, a Samoan legend about a son seeking his father's blessing to leave for battle.
The games assistant CEO, Peone Fuimaono said it was a celebration of Samoan identity.
"It portrays our ancient warrior spirit and the importance of being blessed before we set forth to fight and conquer," she said.
"There are many issues facing our region which require us to be united. The narrative calls for us all to be one in spirit to address these challenges."
Twenty-four nations are taking part in the competition across 27 sports, including athletics, boxing, golf, swimming and judo.
Prime minister to compete
Among the athletes at this year's Games is Samoa's 74-year-old Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele.
He has qualified for archery competitions and has spent the last few months honing his skills.
"We need to practice as often as possible to improve our shooting style," he said.
"We know the techniques and we need to perfect our techniques."
This not the PM's first outing at the Pacific Games; in 2007, he won a bronze medal in the sport.
The Pacific Games will close on July 20.
Topics: sports-organisations, sport, samoa
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