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First Medals Won by FSM in South Pacific Games

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): August 27, 1997 - FSM weightlifter Manual Mingifel from Rumung Municipality in the State of Yap, made history by winning first medals that FSM has ever won in the South Pacific Games. Minginfel participated in the 54 kilogram weight division in the weightlifting competition and won three Silver medals, according to FSM Sports Official Jim Tobin.

Long distance runners Elias Rodriquez and Randy Germinaro barely missed medaling in the 26 mile marathon run finishing 4th and 5th place. Rodriquez and Germinaro out-ran other runners from Tahiti, Fiji, American Samoa, and Solomon Islands.

Tobin attended numerous meetings with South Pacific Games Council and National Olympic Committee which indicates that it looks favorable that the FSM will become the newest member of the International Olympic Committee in April, 1998. It was also decided that Fiji will host the 2003 South Pacific Games.

The Fifth South Pacific Mini-Games in Pago Pago, American Samoa was concluded on August 21, 1997.