2010 winning bid out today

The Oleai Track and Field will have a much-needed breather today following the end of the 2008 Oceania Grand Prix last night.

However, it will be back to round-the-clock use starting 1pm on Thursday when the 2008 Oceania Championships finally gets rolling.

In between, the Oceania Athletics Association Council will meet at the Hyatt Regency Saipan today to discuss the federation’s future plans, most specifically awarding the bid for the 2010 Oceania Championships.

OAA executive director Yvonne Mullins said two countries have submitted bids for the Championships set two years from now—New Caledonia and Australia.

She said aside from the decision where to hold the 2010 Championships, the council is also expected to vote on very significant changes in the 2010 competition.

“We may hold two Championships in 2010 because [that year will be] the first time the International Olympic Committee will be holding a World Youth Olympics. So, the council will consider tomorrow holding an under-18 area Championships separately from the open Championships.”

Mullins said the council has the option to award the two events to one country or award one the open and the other one the 18-and-under Championships.

The council is made up of representatives from Micronesia, Polynesia, Melanesia, Australia, and New Zealand in the OAA.

With regards to the CNMI’s hosting of the 2008 Oceania Grand Prix and the about-to-unfold 2008 Oceania Championships on Thursday, the OAA official had nothing but good reviews for the host nation.

“There’s plenty of food and I just hope that they [athletes] don’t get high on a few kilos. They’re enjoying the three hotels that they’re at. They’re using the swimming pool and have spent a little time on the beach. All the teams are enjoying themselves here. They’re enjoying the local hospitality a lot,” she said, adding that some athletes have also done their tourist bit around the island.

Mullins said everything appears to be set for the 2008 Oceania Championships as more and more athletes trickle in for the event.

“Tonight will have Tonga come in. The rest of the Solomon Islands team will come in. The rest of the Fijian team still has to arrive. We have Tuvalu coming in also. This is their first time as an Oceania Athletics federation as before they were only an associate member of the OAA. Nauru will have arrived this afternoon,” she said. “New Zealand arrived last Saturday. They are probably finding the weather a little warm and a little humid though.”