AS we gear up for the Rio Games, Olympics history on Wikipedia and other sources on the web tell us that we have been competing since the 1956 which was held in Melbourne and we sent two sailors, two boxers and a discus thrower in Mesulame Rakuro.
We sent our first sprinter to the Rome Olympics in 1960 and Viseisei, Vuda athlete Sitiveni Moceidreke came third in the heat with a time of 10.8 and reached the quarter-finals placed 7th with a time of 10.7 seconds. He was trained by a Richard van Senden and his manager was Eric Harrison,
The eventual gold medal winner in 1960 in Rome was German Armin Harry who ran in the time of 10.2s.
That is the same time now held by Banuve Tabakaucoro when he ran in the Melanesian Games and won gold in the 100 metres. But the Pacific Sprint King has withdrawn and is not running in the Rio Olympics.
We did not have the luxury of running on tracks or even had a regional competition such as the South Pacific Games but Moceidreke did the country proud by coming third in the heat and bettered his time to 10.7 in the quarter-finals coming home seventh.
He also was placed seventh in the 200 metres in the first round of heats.
His son and namesake played for the Fiji Bati against the PNG Kumuls in May this year and was outstanding with his kicking boots at goal and two grubber kicks that set up star tryscorer Etuate Qionimacawa’s tries.
His other son Peni was a soccer player who also represented Airport, Nadi and Fiji.
Peni says he was proud of his dad’s performance and wished Team Fiji well for the Rio Games.
Moceidreke also took part in the 1962 Empire Games in London. Moceidreke went on to represent Fiji with athletes such as Kini Nalatu, who won a silver medal in the 100 metres and Francis Bower.
In the 200 metres he ran with Epeli Drega and Apisai Nabou.
Moceidreke went on to represent Fiji in the sprints in the 1966 SPG.
Olympic History of Fiji
Fiji will be making its 14th overall Summer Olympics appearance at Rio 2016.
The first time Fiji participated in the Olympic Games was Melbourne 1956.
Fiji has appeared in three Winter Olympics — Calgary 1988, Lillehammer 1994 and Salt Lake City 2002.
Melbourne 1956
In its Olympic debut, Fiji sent a team of five athletes to Melbourne 1956 including two boxers, two sailers and a discus thrower.
Rome 1960
Fiji sent only two athletes to the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics including 23-year-old sprinter Sitiveni Moceidreke and 28-year-old discus thrower Mesulame Rakuro, who made his second Olympic appearance.
Mexico City 1968
Fiji was represented by one athlete, 36-year-old javelin thrower Viliame Liga, who finished 25th in the qualifying round at Mexico City 1968.
Munich 1972
Fiji sent a pair of athletes to Munich 1972 including 23-year-old long-distance runner Usaia Sotutu and 25-year-old sprinter Samuela Yavala.
Sotutu ran in the Men’s 5,000m, 10,000m and the 3000m steeplechase.
Montreal 1976
Fiji saw its first woman to compete in the Olympics at Montreal 1976. 24-year-old Miriama Tuisorisori-Chambault competed in the women’s long jump and Pentathlon. She finished 27th in the qualifying round of long jump and 18th overall in Pentathlon.
Tuisorisori-Chambault was joined by one other Fijian at Montreal 1976 — 24-year-old runner Tony Moore, who competed in the Men’s 100m, 200m and Long Jump.
* Miriama Tuisorisori-Chambault was Fiji’s first female Olympian in 1976.
Los Angeles 1984
The Fijian Olympics team reached 14 members at Los Angeles 1984. Fiji competed in Athletics, Cycling, Judo, Sailing and Swimming, but did not win any medals.
Calgary 1988
Fiji made its Winter Olympics debut at Calgary 1988. 28-year-old cross-country skier Rusiate Rogoyawa finished 83rd in the Men’s 15km race.
Seoul 1988
Fiji sent its largest Olympic team of 23 athletes to compete at Seoul 1988. The island nation competed in athletics, boxing, judo, sailing and swimming.
Barcelona 1992
18 Fijians competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. It competed in athletics, judo, sailing and swimming.
At the age of 56, sailer Colin Dunlop became the oldest Fijian to compete at the Olympics. He finished 23rd in the mixed three person keelboat event.
Lillehammer 1994
At 32 years old, Rogoyawa returned to the Winter Olympics for one more shot for a medal in cross-country skiing. However, he finished 88th in the Men’s 10km race.
Atlanta 1996
Fiji sent 17 athletes to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The country was represented in athletics, judo, sailing, swimming and weight-lifting.
Sydney 2000
Unlike the previous two Summer Olympics, Fiji sent a small delegation of seven athletes to Sydney 2000.
The team was made up of two judokans, two swimmers, a sailor, a runner and a weight-lifter.
* Tony Philp was the only Fijian who competed in sailing at Sydney 2000.
Salt Lake City 2002
Fiji’s last Winter Olympics appearance came at Salt Lake City 2002. 21-year-old alpine skier Laurence Thoms finished 55th in the men’s giant slalom and did not finish in men’s slalom.
* Laurence Thoms was the last Fijian to compete at the winter Olympics.
Athens 2004
Fiji competed in two new sports at Athens 2004 — archery and shooting.
The team was made up of eight athletes, who also competed in athletics, judo, swimming and weight-lifting.
* Judokan Sisilia Rasokisoki was also the flag-bearer for Fiji in Athens 2004.
Beijing 2008
The island nation sent another small team of Olympians to compete at Beijing 2008, which included two runners,one judoka, one shooter, one swimmer and one weight-lifter.
* Weight-lifter Josefa Vueti was the only Fijian to compete in the event at Beijing in 2008.
London 2012
Fiji sent their largest Olympic team since Atlanta 1996 to compete at London 2012. The nine Fijians competed in archery, athletics, judo, shooting, swimming and weight-lifting.
* Rob Elder competed for Fiji in archery at London 2012.
Rio 2016
It will be sending its largest Olympic team to Rio 2016.
The island nation has qualified in three team sports, men’s and women’s rugby 7s and men’s soccer team.
It also has one shooter, 52-year-old Glenn Kable, who has qualified for the trap discipline.
Fiji has made an incredible effort to bring a large delegation to Rio 2016.
They could win their first Olympic medal in men’s rugby 7s after the team won the 2014-15 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
