Day 1 of the 2014 Coca Cola Games has kicked off with the Intermediate boys Javelin throw.
Track events this hour include the 1,500 meter senior boy’s finals and at 10:21 is the 400 meters sub junior girls heats.
Months of commitment and sacrifice will be put to the test as over 2800 athletes from about 160 secondary schools in the country compete in the 2014 Coca Cola Games today and tomorrow.
For some athletes the sweetness of last year’s victory is still fresh, some will try to avenge last year’s loss while some are just thankful they are part of the world's biggest secondary schools athletics competition.
Defending boys champions Marist Brothers High School athletes will be competing in the Coca Cola Games thinking of two of their mentors who recently passed on.
Marist Manager Navitalai Waiwalu said the boys are ready but they will be motivated by the passing away of Brother Joe Wara who was a founding member of the Marist Brothers and their 4x100 meters relay coach Vuniani Sovau who passed away on Monday.
Last year Marist won the boys division with 11 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze.
Meanwhile coach of the defending girls champion Jasper Williams High School, Antonio Raboiliku is ready for the games.
Raboiliku added they will have to decide this morning whether their golden girls Mereseini Naidau and Meresiana Vukici will take part today as they are still recovering from injury and sickness respectively.
If Naidau is cleared to run then she is likely to win the first gold for Jasper in the open girls 1500 metres this morning.
Jasper created history last year by becoming the first western school to win the girl’s title.
Tailevu giant Queen Victoria School has not won the Coca Cola Games boys division title for the last 21 years.
Suva Grammar edged the Victorians by 1 silver medal last year for the second spot.
QVS last won the title in 1993 and team manager Kitione Vesikula says anything is possible.
Suva Grammar School coach Jone Delai is calling on Grammarians to come out in numbers to witness a different Lions squad this year.
When questioned by Fijivillage whether the former boys champions have another crack at the title, Delai said this year will be the toughest ever but hopes are high.
Grammar will be boosted by star athletes like Kemueli Waqa, Sireli Bulivorovoro, Inia Sili and Farasiko Mualevu.
Tough competition is expected in the girl’s division as Adi Cakobau School will do whatever it takes to reclaim the title they kept for 12 years in a row before Jasper Williams High School beat them last year.
ACS team captain and sprinter Elenoa Sailosi said despite losing out last year, the Waimanu Kui brigade has nothing to lose.
ACS will be banking on athletes like Elenoa Sailosi, Alaiwalu Rayawa, Maopa Tabualovoni, Ema Navukula and Laisani Moceisawana.
However St Joseph’s Secondary School is not to be counted out from the race for the girls title this year.
Sprinter and defending girls blue ribbon champion Sisilia Seavula says the support that they have received has lifted the morale of the athletes.
Stay with us for the latest updates on the games.
We will have the latest results from all the track and field events, hourly medal tally updates and interviews with the athletes.
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Story by: Vijay Narayan
