Historic medal praised

BY ROMULUS HUTA

PM Hou congratulated Solomon Island’s first ever Commonwealth Games medalist Jenly Wini

THE Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President, Louise Martin CBE, has congratulated Solomon Islands and the four other countries that have won their first ever Commonwealth medals during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Speaking during the official closing of the XXI Commonwealth Games Sunday night, Martin highlighted that the first ever medals won by Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, British Virgin Islands and Dominica demonstrated the fast-growing impact of Commonwealth sport.

Martin said: “Athletes – 11 days ago I asked you to grasp this opportunity to create your own history and fulfill your dreams – and to become truly great Commonwealth athletes.

“I thank and congratulate you for rising so magnificently to this challenge.

“With 9 world and 83 commonwealth records broken, with first ever medals for 5 different countries Vanuatu, Solomon Island, the Cook Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Dominica.

“And with so many other firsts and personal bests   ………… what a Games these have been!

“You have all written this new chapter of Commonwealth history. Giving us many inspirational memories that will last long after we leave Gold Coast.

“The strength of the Commonwealth Games is that all Games are different…with each host adding its own character, culture and identity to 11 days of wonderful sporting competition.”

The first ever medal won by Solomon Islands in Gold Coast was achieved by female weightlifter Jenlyn Wini.

Wini snatched the bronze medal in the women’s 58kg class of the weightlifting competition.

“Gold Coast 2018 will forever be remembered as ‘the Games of Firsts.

“The inspiring and impactful performances of our Commonwealth athletes have delivered on the promise of a historic collection of ‘firsts’ that were achieved in the run up to Games; whether that be the ground-breaking Reconciliation Action Plan, the equal number of medals for men and women for the first time, or the largest ever fully-integrated para-sport programme seen in Commonwealth and world sport,” highlighted Martin.

The 25-member One Team Solomon contigent to Gold Coast arrived in Honiara yesterday afternoon.

The next Commonwealth Games will take place in Birmingham in 2022.

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