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Council opts for two-Championship format in 2010
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Posted on Jun 24 2008
In an unprecedented move, the Oceania Athletics Association council yesterday voted to hold two Championships in 2010 and awarded the bid to New Caledonia and Australia.
Oceania Athletics executive secretary Yvonne Mullins told the Saipan Tribune yesterday in a phone interview that the council has offered the 2010 Under-18 Championships and the 2010 Oceania Grand Prix to New Caledonia.
She said the two events will be held sometime in May 2010 in Noumea.
Meanwhile, the 2010 Oceania Championships—or the open championships as it is known in athletics circles—has been offered to Australia and will be held in Cairns in late September.
OAA opted for the two-Championship format following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to hold a World Youth Olympics in 2010.
In so far as the CNMI’s hosting of the 2008 Oceania Grand Prix and the 2008 Oceania Championships, Mullins said the council is congratulating Northern Marianas Athletics’ efforts for putting together a very good championships—so far.
She, however, said that the council did acknowledged that there was some problems with visas of the athletes coming into the Commonwealth, but other than that, the CNMI have been perfect hosts to the 2008 Oceania Grand Prix and 2008 Oceania Championships.
“They’re all enjoying it so far. All 21 countries in full are ready to compete,” said Mullins, adding that in all 320 have come to Saipan for the event—270 athletes and 50 officials.
While CNMI athletes have by now been accustomed to competing against their brethren from the Pacific Islands—having taking part in the Micronesian Games and Pacific Games—the 2008 Oceania Championships is a rare opportunity for them to measure their development against athletes from Australia and New Zealand.
Mullins said Australia has sent 28 athletes to the Championships, while New Zealand will be competing with 18 athletes, made up of its 18-and-under athletics squad.
“Aussies and Kiwis are really glad to be here. They have said that it’s a very beautiful country,” she said.
