No National Stadium so .....?
Before Covid-19 struck the Pacific - then the world ! - in January 2020, work had begun at the RKU National Stadium in Bairiki. The dismantling of the 500-seater public stand and the important rooms under the seating was one of the initial stages. This had started in 2019 and the structure had been decaying and cracking such that at domestic e.g. school competitions that year, temporary seating had been installed, with cover, on the second half of the 100m. straight !
So in order to stage some Athletics competition during the annual anniversary of National Independence, the action moved to the Sports Complex at Betio. The Football field was prepared as a track enclosing a 60m. straight. A Mens' Road Race from Bairiki - approx. five miles including the Dai Nippon Causeway - was an early feature. Track events included 60m., 100m. and 800m. for Men and Women. Field events were Shot and Discus, Long Jump and Triple Jump, also for both genders.
As you will see on the attached report, THREE NATIONAL RECORDS were set.
The new Executive Board (with six ex-international athletes !) supplied most of the officials needed. Two of them also competed: Nei Taatia, who also set one of the records; and Buraieta. They both won at least one event ! (In the attached image, Nei Taatia is seen on top of the podium having won the WHammer; Buraieta is seen winning the MTJ and also on the podium. These images date from the Micronesia Athletics Championships in Saipan in 2005.) Results from Betio are attached as part of the report..
Last Modified on 15/11/2020 02:34