THE desire to make his parents proud inspired country boy Albert Miller to emerge out of the blue and create his legacy as a three-time Olympian.
Growing up at his Kasavu home in Savusavu more than 50 years ago, Miller did not know anything about Olympics.
Like every child, he just wants to make his parents happy and this motivated him to come out of his comfort zone and discover his full potential to be the person he is today.
Looking back at his path, Miller is proudly smiling to himself knowing he had fulfilled his childhood dream.
He said his parents had been a source of inspiration enabling him to reach this far.
The former national decathlete had represented the country to five Olympic Games, three times as an athlete and two times as a coach.
“I guess my parents were my inspiration because I’ve always wanted them to be proud of me in school work and sports,” said Miller.
“My first introduction to athletics was in primary school while I was a student at the Savusavu Government School. I just thought it was great to run around, jump and throw.
“Being a country boy it never really entered my mind that one day I would compete in the Olympics.
“My knowledge of athletics was very limited until I met an American peace corp teacher Bob Luther who was teaching at the Savusavu Secondary School.
“He was a high jumper in college so we started training together during the school holidays.”
Miller’s love for the sport pushed him to train hard and he reaped the fruit of hard work when offered a scholarship to study and train in the United States.
“After competing in secondary athletics for Levuka Public School I was offered a private scholarship by Bob Luther and his family to attend a junior college in Sacramento California.
“For five long years I dedicated my life to training six days a week.
“It was a great experience especially working with specialist coaches in the USA and there was no time for fun and games, just training.”
It was through this scholarship that shaped Miller’s athletics career to become one of the best athletes to grace our shores.
He made his national debut to the 1983 South Pacific Games in Samoa and his first Olympic Games was the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
“I was so excited to receive a letter of confirmation from the then president of Athletics Fiji, the late Viliame Saulekaleka.
“I think I still have a copy of that letter. I also later represented Fiji to the 1988 Soul Olympics and my third Olympics was in Barcelona in 1992.
“I was a coach to the 1996 and 2000 Olympics in Atlanta and Sydney respectively.
Miller said his best Olympic Games moment was during the 1984 games.
“By far my best Olympics experience was my first outing in 1984.”
“The atmosphere throughout the games was something special. It was truly the ‘athletes’ games.”
Miller said sheer hard work, dedication and discipline and personal sacrifice were the ingredients of his success.
He also participated at the Commonwealth Games and his decathlon record he set at the 1983 South Pacific Games still stands.
Been there, done that, the sports education lecturer has a message to aspiring athletes dreaming to be successful in life.
“Nothing comes easy. If you have a God-given talent use it and don’t waste it. You are the master of your own destiny,” he added.
