Team Fiji had a challenging 2022 Commonwealth Games and chef de mission Sale Sorovaki has thanked all athletes and officials for rising up to the occasion.
The 2022 Games, featuring competitors from 72 nations and territories, many of which are former British colonies, came to an end yesterday in Birmingham, with Australia on top of the medals table.
Fiji ended the Games with two silver medals from Rugby 7s, and a bronze medal each to weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi and para athlete discus thrower Naibili Vatunisolo.
Sorovaki said the Games gave the athletes another chance to prove their worth and improve on their personal records.
“The opportunities were there for the athletes to win medals, to better their times, to further their distances. We could not have asked for anything more. It has been a really enjoyable 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Sorovaki said.
With Games villages divided into three separate locations, travelling had become a challenge.
“It was a challenge to try and get to three separate venues as the venues were divided into three separate towns, but all in all we got to where we could,” Sorovaki said.
“If there were any challenges, we will find out from the respective team managers.”
This was Sorovaki’s first appointment as Team Fiji’s chef de mission, and he said despite the challenges, it had been an enjoyable experience.
“First big appointment as chef de mission. I enjoyed it. It’s just that trying to get to all the venues which were spread all over Birmingham was a challenge in itself, but otherwise I’ve had an enjoyable time as a chef de mission.”
The 2026 Games will be held in the Australian state of Victoria.
