“I’m very happy to be here and privileged to have been chosen to carry the fl ag for my country. I want to win a gold medal. I want to make my country, my family and my Team Samoa very proud”
Samoa’s golden girl, Ele Opeloge, led out Team Samoa during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday.
More than 40,000 spectators clapped for Opeloge and her teammates at the Glasgow Celtic Park while millions from around the world watched the Opening Ceremony.
Thousands of Samoans were glued to their TV sets yesterday, thanks to SQB TVOne’s live coverage of the ceremony.
Speaking to the Reporters’ Academy, Opeloge said it was a privilege to lead out Team Samoa.
“I’m very happy to be here and privileged to have been chosen to carry the flag for my country,” she said.
“I want to win a gold medal. I want to make my country, my family and my Team Samoa very proud.”
Opeloge is no stranger to winning. She won a gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in over 75 kg class with a Games record of 285.
The gold was Samoa's second gold medal in the history of the Games.
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In 2008, Ele also carried Samoa’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing where she competed in the over 75kg category.
Opeloge finished fourth in her event, narrowly missing out on a bronze medal.
She lifted 269 kg, matching her personal best, while Mariya Grabovetskaya of Kazakhstan lifted 270 kg to finish third.
In Glasgow this week, Opeloge said she feels good and she promised to give her all to win a medal for Samoa.
"I’ve been training hard and I hope to make my country proud by bringing home the gold medal," she said.
Before yesterday’s opening ceremony, the Glasgow Caledonian University played host to the flag bearing ceremony for the Pacific Oceania nations Games. Samoa, competing at their 11th Commonwealth Games were represented alongside their Pacific Oceania neighbours.
During the ceremony, Opeloge was announced as the flag bearer for Samoa.
The weather was surprisingly hot for Glasgow, which was a positive thing for the Pacific nations.
This may play to their advantage once the games commence with the hot weather set to continue for the rest of the week at least.
Many of the Chef de Missions made inspiring speeches which will hopefully further motivate the athletes to do themselves and their countries proud.
Samoa's Chef de Mission, Faafouina Milford said: "It's a pleasure for Samoa to be here at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”
*Craig Lucas of The Reporters’ Academy, the official media of the Pacific Nations at Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games contributed to this story.
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