MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pre-Games events day on in Bendigo

PressRelease
The Falklands team landed in a heat and drought stricken Victoria on the 24th November to begin their final preparations for the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo, Australia. Roxane Morrison joined the team the day after following some minor hiccups along the way.

The teams were very grateful to Piscineria the Chilean swimming pool company for their kind hosting in Santiago. The Guzman family was the most gracious hosts any of our team could have hoped for and the stopover proved very beneficial in settling some obvious nerves.

The team were very pleased to be given the opportunity to train free of charge in the Melton Waves indoor pool and managed to gain some well needed publicity in the local media. Friday 26th saw the team making their first trip to Bendigo to meet a literal flurry of media activity. The Falklands were the first team to officially visit Bendigo so all were there to welcome the team including "Ausca" the games mascot. The team also made a short visit to the Violet Street Primary School in Bendigo where all athletes gave a short presentation to the school about life and schooling in the Falkland Islands.

The weekend saw a sad turn of events. Hannah Arthur-almond has been struck by a case of glandular fever and looks unlikely to compete on the first days events at the least. Hannah is currently resting up in Bendigo with her parents and we hope to be able to update you further on her condition as it progresses.

All athletes have struggled with the heat with the obvious athlete struggling the most being Roxane Morrison. Roxane has worked hard both on the track and on the road to acclimatise herself with the heat and we are confident she should do well on Thursday. The Swim team saw their first 50M outdoor pool today and were very impressed. We have been lucky to have been offered the facilities at the East Bendigo pool rather than the very busy Bendigo Aquatic Centre.

The only official team function for the day was the Team welcoming ceremony where Dion Robertson of Port Stephens proudly held the Falklands Flag aloft at yet another international sporting event so far from home.

So onto tomorrow and the official Opening Ceremony and then from then on the competition. To send a good luck message to the team simply mail the General Team Manager, Steve Dent on dent@horizon.co.fk and all messages will be forwarded to the respective athletes.

More Information;

Website For more information on FIOGA and it's involvement in Overseas Games: www.horizon.co.fk/fiogaFor more info on the Commonwealth Youth Games - www.bendigo2004.com E-mailFalkland Islands CYG 2004 Team Manager ? Steve Dent - dent@horizon.co.fkOperations Manager Australian Commonwealth Games Association ? Diane Gallagher: diane.gallagher@ausport.gov.au