Martha Taumata Faavae
The team of 3-weightlifter denied from representing Samoa at the Tokyo Olympics this year are heartbroken but responsible enough to accept fears of the COVID-19 pandemic as a worthy cause.
“We understand” is the response from the weightlifters qualified when told about the team not participating in the Japan Olympic Games this year.
Still they are disappointed after looking forward to the ultimate dream of any athlete to compete in the Olympic Games – the most prestigious international sporting event.
The 2-male and one female weightlifting team are Vaipava Neveo Ioane and Don Opeloge in the men’s categories and Iuniarra Sipaia in the ladies.
All are based in Samoa where they are trained and coached and are among eleven athletes qualified for the Olympic Games.
Government took a hardline decsion last week to stop all athletes from Samoa going to the Games to protect against a re-surging COVID-19 pandemic virus with the new mutation spreading around the world.
Vaipava Ioane who has qualified for other Olympics Games before is disappointed at not being able to compete because he had been preparing for a long time.
He had hoped the Tokoyo Olympic Games would cap off his competition in the sports of weightlifting.
“ To me personally, I would have thought this would my last competition before I resign from weightlifting for I have competed for a long time,” Ioane told Newsline.
“ I was looking forward to Japan for this would have been an important part of my personal history. It was my aim to compete in the Olympics in Japan.
“I trained very hard and prayed to God for the chance to go but He has the authority.”
Although he is disappointed, he accepts the decision by government and believes the sun will rise again.
“ I understand well the decision by government. There is no point in going if the virus is spreading and one of us catches it and spread it in Samoa it will not end well for us.”
Ioane who had competed in American Samoa in the past is full of praises for the coaching he receives in Samoa.
“ We never miss a training session and we continue to train after tournaments. We trained all the time in preparation for the Olympics.”
There was heartbreak also from female lifter Iuniarra Sipaia for not travelling to Japan to compete. But she accepts the health fears behind the decision.
“ It is hard to accept the decision handed down because of the time we have put into our training every day. We continued with train despite limitations due to pandemic so that we can achieve our goal to win a medal for Samoa.”
Sipaia added that she and the team feel for their coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork.
“ We love our coach. He really fights for us and he fights in the spirit that Samoa gets a good name and that Samoa is up there with the big countries in the sports of weightlifting,” Sipaia told Newsline.
“ He looks after us well and gives so much for our training. We know how he feels but he finds it difficult to express it to us.”
Sipaia said they felt for their coach and tried to reassure him that they understand and not to worry.
