POINTERS TO PARADISE:
GAMES OPENING CEREMONY RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
GAMES OPENING CEREMONY RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
21ST SEPTEMBER TO 2ND OCTOBER, 2009
"A LEGACY OF LOVE"
"The legacy that will be left for future generations is that, the Cook Islands people never run out of love for others....the children show it, the youth show it, the elders show it and our visitors have received it. As the theme says, "share the moments" - it's not just about receiving the gold, the silver or the bronze medal. It's about us, the children of the Pacific, coming together and being one family."
Mac Mokoroa, Games Chief Executive
Mac Mokoroa, Games Chief Executive
TRADITION AND TECHNOLOGY
A cauldron of flames burned bright over Rarotonga throughout the games. "Coconut King" and living legend, Piri Pirotu started the fire in the traditional way, but 21st century technology kept it going. Five tonnes of gas were needed to fuel it and regular checks were made to ensure the flames didn't go out
Photo: Cook Islands News
Photo: Cook Islands News
SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS FOR SAMOANS
The horrors of tsunami in Samoa and American Samoa were in the forefront of everyone's thoughts after news of the tragic deaths and devastation reached the Games. But as they prepared to return home the heads of their respective teams still found time to lavish praise.
Eddie Etisone Imo of Amercian Samoa said; "We should like to say a special thank you to Bishop Pere for his sympathy, thoughts and prayers through these trying times for our country, and to all for the comradeship that we have experienced in the Cook Islands and with those that are participating in the Games".
Faamau Samuelu Te'o Fuimaono from Samoa said "The Samoa team will not forget Cook Islands, not only because of the tragedy that has taken place in our home land, but because the hospitality has been great. We were treated so well, it feels like Cook Islands is just another part of Samoa, we felt so at home."
Eddie Etisone Imo of Amercian Samoa said; "We should like to say a special thank you to Bishop Pere for his sympathy, thoughts and prayers through these trying times for our country, and to all for the comradeship that we have experienced in the Cook Islands and with those that are participating in the Games".
Faamau Samuelu Te'o Fuimaono from Samoa said "The Samoa team will not forget Cook Islands, not only because of the tragedy that has taken place in our home land, but because the hospitality has been great. We were treated so well, it feels like Cook Islands is just another part of Samoa, we felt so at home."
The games opened on the United Nations World Day of Peace and peace gardens were built by children and adults alike all over Rarotonga
Eight 15 and 16 year olds from Manchester, England provided their own unique view of the games, thanks to an innovative project called "Supporters to Reporters". It's been my pleasure to feature some of their videos and I'd strongly recommend you have a look at the S2R website. In the video on this page, they talk to some young Islanders about the games.
The reporting team were (top, left to right) Peter Fry, Gemma Martin, Emma Cullen, Daniel O' Hara and (bottom, left to right) Shane Gibb, Ryan Alleyne, Lewis Woods, Matthew Bowcott.
The reporting team were (top, left to right) Peter Fry, Gemma Martin, Emma Cullen, Daniel O' Hara and (bottom, left to right) Shane Gibb, Ryan Alleyne, Lewis Woods, Matthew Bowcott.
THROUGH YOUNG BRITISH EYES
Photographs on this page are variously from the official games website, the Radiowaves (S2R) website and Cook Islands News
A SAILAWAY SUCCESS
Sailing events were the only ones held outside Rarotonga. A major row erupted earlier in the year when the games organisers wanted to remove coral heads from Muri lagoon on the capital island because the water wasn't deep enough for some competitions. Instead, the stunningly beautiful, turquoise blue waters of neighbouring Aitutaki became the backdrop. And they attracted unmitigated praise from Ralph Roberts of New Zealand who is a former Olympic sailor and was one of the international judges
"This is surely the absolute paradise of sailing venues anywhere in the world"
Sailing events were the only ones held outside Rarotonga. A major row erupted earlier in the year when the games organisers wanted to remove coral heads from Muri lagoon on the capital island because the water wasn't deep enough for some competitions. Instead, the stunningly beautiful, turquoise blue waters of neighbouring Aitutaki became the backdrop. And they attracted unmitigated praise from Ralph Roberts of New Zealand who is a former Olympic sailor and was one of the international judges
"This is surely the absolute paradise of sailing venues anywhere in the world"
