Rio Olympics

Men:

Samoa - Nevo Ioane (62kg category)

Australia – Simplice Ribouem (94kg category)

New Zealand - Richard Patterson (85kg category)

Fiji - Manueli Tulo (56kg category)

Kiribati - David Katoatau (105kg category)

Nauru - Elson Brechtefeld (56kg category)

American Samoa: Tanumafili Jungblut (94kg category)

PNG -Morea Baru (62kg) category

Women:

Samoa - Mary Opeloge (75kg category)

Australia - Tia-Clair Toomey (58kg category)

New Zealand - Tracey Lambrechs (+75kg category)

Smith was a talented junior swimmer and won a string of Australian Junior Championships, but in his late teens ice pushed his life off the rails and he was soon living on the street.

"It was difficult, but I guess the pain that I suffered, the pain that I dealt with has actually put me in a position now to give back to others," he said.

"That's what my life's all about now. I'm all about giving hope to the next generation and giving hope to other people who are addicted to drugs."

Morea Baru is not a new name in the PNG sports industry, however, this young Hanuabada lad is about to make a bigger name for himself and the country when he takes centre stage tomorrow (today) at the Oceania Championship in Fiji.

Baru has his eyes set on the 2016 Rio Olympics and there is no doubt of his capabilities.

Trukai Industries General Manager-Sales and Marketing, Andrew Daubney, said:

Ryan made this remarks after reports suggested he had been left out of the squad for this weekend’s London Sevens.

After quitting NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers this week, the former NRL star announced his intention to qualify for the Olympics with the rugby sevens’ gold-medal favourites.

Reports stated that the crosscode star has missed out on the 12-man squad named by coach Ben Ryan. However Ryan, the former England coach, insisted that a decision has yet to be made.

Dr David Hughes' claim comes less than two weeks after scientists in Brazil warned that the mosquito-borne virus could be even more dangerous than first thought.

Experts believe it could be behind several damaging neurological conditions - in addition to microcephaly - where babies are born with abnormally small heads because of restricted brain development - and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder which causes muscle weakness.

But Hughes is of the opinion that the risk to AOT team members will be minimal if individuals take the necessary precautions.

The team, expected to consist of between five and 10 athletes, was confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following their Executive Board meeting in Lausanne last week. 

Athletes will march under the Olympic flag second to last at the Opening Ceremony behind the host country.

They will in the Athletes' Village and receiving privileges also enjoyed by all other teams, including having a Chef de Mission and their own uniform. 

Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman claims to be "totally in favour of this initiative"

President of PNG Swimming Inc, Liz Wells said that four are: Ryan Pini, Samuel Seghers, Ryan Maskelyne, and Barbara Vali-Skelton.

She said training for all swimmers was going well with all four swimmers training six days a week with eight sessions in the pool and three sessions on land.

Wells added the aim was to qualify under Universality placing to get to Rio.

She said for super fish Ryan Pini, he has qualified with a B timing for Rio but is aiming to better this.

In order to qualify the athletes for the Rio Olympics PNG will have to do better in the Oceania championship, which is in May in Suva, Fiji.

Sir John announced that with most of the weightlifting athletes currently training at home Sandra Ako, Guba Hale, Toua Udia, Steven Kari, Thelma Toua and Dika Toua due to family obligation, traditional obligations and personal glitches, the weightlifting team will not have the firepower to confidently say that they can make it in the qualifiers against the other Pacific’s best.

The funding will go towards athletes’ preparations as they work towards qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.  

PNG is hoping to send athletes overseas for qualifying events in the coming months including powerlifter Pope Gayave and short put specialist Regina Edward.

Gayave will be attending a Grand Prix event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next month while Edward will be attending an Asia Oceania event in Dubai to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

PNGPC President Peter Curtain thanked Ela Motors for its continued support over the last 20 years.

This was announced by Papua New Guinea’s Chef de Mission Emma Waiwai when speaking to ABC Radio Australia recently.

Waiwai said, this may be possible because of two reasons, he may be injured or facing certain qualifying needs. It could be one of those two reasons.

On the other end, Papua New Guineas weightlifting queen and Commonwealth gold medalist Dika Toua's place in the team isn't guaranteed also as she has a long way to work her way back to her standard.