{"id":412811,"date":"2024-08-02T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-02T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=412811"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Iakopo-to-compete-today-in-Paris-Olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Iakopo-to-compete-today-in-Paris-Olympics\/","title":{"rendered":"Iakopo to compete today in Paris Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Filomenaleonisa Iakopo will compete today in the preliminary round of the 100m dash of the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Stade de France in Ile des Vannes.<\/p>\n

Suiting up for her father\u2019s country of birth, American Samoa, the 18-year-old recent Kagman High School graduate said her goal in the quadrennial event is to eclipse her personal best time of 12.83 seconds and hopefully advance to Round 1 of the century dash.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goal in the Olympic Games is to clock in a personal best and advance into Round 1. To advance into Round 1, I would have to get Top 3 in my heat,\u201d she told Saipan Tribune in a social media message.<\/p>\n

She said since she has yet to compete, the highlight so far of her Olympic experience was the opening ceremony, which she said was such a surreal experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of a traditional walk through a stadium, all countries rode on boats through the Seine River. Despite the rain, I believe it was a perfect touch to the ceremony. The opening ceremony included many French art performances, celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Celine Dion performing, and a fashion show. When it was time for American Samoa to be announced, I couldn\u2019t contain my pride and excitement. I truly felt so immensely blessed and honored to wave American Samoa\u2019s flag and showcase who we are to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iakopo said since arriving in Paris for the 2024 Olympics two weeks ago, she\u2019s been zeroing in on completing her training to fulfill her once-in-a-lifetime dream to compete in the Olympics.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout these two weeks in Paris I have been on a tapering regimen, meaning a decrease in volume of training as it leads up to my competition to avoid body fatigue and maximize my performance. The training facility is used by athletics competitors from all countries in the Olympic Games. Being surrounded by other world-class athletes creates such a unique environment because it\u2019s all the best athletics athletes in one place. It\u2019s just overall amazing and the adrenaline rush I receive is like no other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aside from her, the American Samoa delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics include swimmer Micah Masei and her coach Cassandra Bess Lund as well as American Samoa National Olympic Committee president Etisone Ed Imo and his wife, secretary general Ethan Lake and his wife, and chef de mission is Joe Ioane.<\/p>\n

Iakopo said aside from her training at the Stade de France, she spends most of her time at the Olympic Athletes Village, which she described as \u201chuge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are buildings designed to hold all athletes from each country. In our room, our beds are made out of cardboard and given a Paris 2024 bedsheets that all athletes are able to take as a souvenir! The village consists of all different kinds of things like gyms, a market, nail and hair salon, many grab-and-go food trucks, and an Athletes 365 hang out area! In there we are able to vote for athletes running for Athletes Commission, photo booths, game rooms, and multiple TVs to watch other sports live.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also marvels at the Olympic Athletes Village\u2019s mess hall and the efficient transportation system in the Olympics.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main dining hall consists of various types of food that ranges from American to Asian and Italian cuisine! I believe it caters to exactly what all the different athletes may need to fuel their bodies,\u201d said Iakopo.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe transportation system in the Olympic Games is by far the best I have ever experienced in an athletic program. There are volunteers always there to guide where we would need to be and what time we are able to catch a bus to a training facility or returning to the Olympic Athlete Village. Whenever a bus leaves, it only takes about 5-10 minutes for the next to come, it is very consistent and on time. I never experienced waiting too long for transportation. Also, the Olympic Athlete Village also provides bikes to bike around the area and shuttles if people decide not to walk!\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

As for her encounters with titans of her sport, Iakopo said, so far, she\u2019s seen Sha\u2019carri Richardson from the USA, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce and Sherika Jackson from Jamaica, and many more while training at Ile des Vannes. At the Olympic Athletes Village, she\u2019s also seen Gabby Thomas, Simone Biles, and Stephen Curry.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day I see many superstar athletes and it is incredible to know that they are here for the same reasons that I am too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like other athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Iakopo said she\u2019s also been gifted with a bag of gear from the American Samoa National Olympic Committee.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy American Samoa gear is beautifully designed to represent the Samoan culture through our distinct art. I have four T-shirts, two jackets and sweatpants set, a backpack, hat, and flags! It is the best feeling wearing the American Samoa flag on my clothing to represent where I am from to other countries. \u201c<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Filomenaleonisa Iakopo poses with the American Samoa flag during the opening ceremony of 2024 Paris Olympics.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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<\/p>\n

Filomenaleonisa Iakopo with American Samoa swimmer Micah Masei and American Samoa delegation chef de mission Joe Ioane.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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<\/p>\n

Filomenaleonisa Iakopo poses with the rest of the Filomenaleonisa Iakopo delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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