Marshalls Olympic Group Heads To Beijing
Five Marshall Islands athletes and their support delegation will make history when they enter Beijing’s Olympic Stadium flying the country’s flag at the opening of the 29th Games this Friday. The delegation leaves from the Marshall Islands today.
Anju Jason, Roman Cress, Haley Nemra, Jared Heine and Julianne Kirchner — all except Kirchner, who lives on Kwajalein, have been training in the United States — will compete in taekwondo, track and swimming.
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Martial arts specialist Jason is the only one of the five Marshall Islands athletes to qualify on his own merit. He won a gold medal in New Caledonia in December at an Oceania qualifying competition, giving him automatic entry to the Games in taekwondo — setting the pace for all Marshall Islands athletes.
The opening ceremony kicking off the Games is set for this Friday.
Because of the government’s financial crunch, the Marshall Islands government delegation is reportedly small. Only Minister in Assistance Christopher Loeak and his wife Anono, the latter whom is being paid for by the local National Olympic Committee, will go to Beijing representing the government. About 15 NOC support officials will also be traveling to Beijing.
The morning of the opening ceremony, all Pacific island athletes and delegations will be welcomed at a gathering sponsored by the Oceania National Olympic Committees.
Competitions wrap up on August 23.
Swimmer Jared Heine will be the first Marshall Islands athlete to compete in Beijing.
He will take to the Olympic pool on Sunday, August 10 for the 100-meter backstroke.
Three of the five athletes will compete on Friday, August 15: Roman Cress will hit the track for the 100-meter sprint, Haley Nemra will run in the 800-meter track event at, and Julianne Kirchner will compete in the 50-meter freestyle swimming competition.
Anju Jason will be the last to compete. Taekwondo is set for a one-day tournament on Friday, August 22. He will compete in the under 80 KG weight class (under 170 pounds).
