The chances of Fijian athletes securing medals in athletics at the Olympic Games appear slim, especially considering the stringent qualifying standards, training conditions, and the dedication required from each competitor. This reality poses significant challenges for Athletics Fiji as they prepare athletes for prestigious events such as the Olympics.
Albert Miller, a former Olympian and current development officer for Athletics Fiji, addressed the obstacles facing the sport and the implications for Fiji if such issues persist. He candidly expressed, “Winning medals at the Olympics seems far-fetched. I’m not attempting to sound pessimistic, but we need to be realistic. Having a good number of athletes approaching outright qualification shows we’re on the right track, but we require a strong base of athletes.”
To qualify outright for the 100m sprint, an athlete must clock a time of 10 seconds flat, a challenging feat given that local sprinters are currently times above this mark. This year’s Olympic Games in France showcased that all eight male 100m finalists finished below the 10-second barrier.
Miller noted, “To compete at that level, athletes must consistently perform at their peak for a month or two leading into the Olympics. For example, Leslie Copeland’s qualification in Rio was based on a standard of around 80 meters, which has since increased to 84 meters, complicating matters even further for smaller countries like ours. However, we won’t stop striving for excellence; we just need to ensure our athletes regularly compete at a high level.”
He emphasized the importance of consistent competition for athletes in suitable environments, with the right guidance and clear goals. Currently, there are six Fijian athletes on scholarships in the United States, and Miller hopes that at least one or two will rise to meet the challenges ahead. He said, “This is a solid starting point, but we must continue to build our numbers and ensure our athletes are consistently engaged in this level of competition for an extended period—just one month won’t suffice.”
Drawing inspiration from Julian Alfred of St Lucia, who recently secured her country’s first Olympic gold medal in the women’s 100m sprint, Miller advocates for sending Fijian athletes to train in the US. He noted, “Most excellent sprinters in Jamaica and the West Indies are on scholarships in the US, competing in high-level collegiate athletics, which provides remarkable training opportunities.”
He believes that sending athletes to the US is the optimal solution as they will not only receive top-notch training but also work towards earning a degree, which can be beneficial post-competition. “We hope for more athletes willing to sacrifice and pursue the qualifying standards,” he added.
Miller urged athletes aiming for the Los Angeles Games in 2028 to begin their preparations now, as the time draws near.