Pacific Games 3702884 223747012 2008-07-05T16:13:20Z Andrew nixon 1067530 /* Sporting Events */ '''The Pacific Games''' (formerly known as the '''South Pacific Games''') is a [[multi-sport event]], much like the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]], (albeit on a much smaller scale), with participation exclusively from countries around the [[Oceania|South Pacific]]. It is held every four years and began in [[1963]], hosted by [[Suva]], [[Fiji]]. The [[2007 Pacific Games]] were hosted in [[Apia]], [[Samoa]] between [[25 August]] and [[8 September]], 2007. == History == During 1962, the [[South Pacific Commission]] founded the South Pacific Games, with the first ever Games being held at Suva, Fiji. In the 40 years since, Games have been held in 12 countries and territories within the region. Initially the Games were held at three year intervals although this was subsequently expanded to four following the [[Tumon]] Games in [[Guam]]. As a residual consequence of the [[Europe]]an [[colonialism|colonisation]] of the Pacific from the early part of the [[18th Century]] onwards, many nations who participated in the first Games (of 1963) were under predominantly [[United Kingdom|British]] or [[France|French]] territorial rule. Understandably this generated a certain amount of confusion as both British and French flags and [[national anthems]] dominated proceedings and were occasionally used together for winning countries. [[Western Samoa]] (now [[Samoa]]) was the only country with a flag and anthem of its sovereignty as it was the only participating independent island nation at that time. As time went on, fledgling nations gradually achieving sovereignty of their own sought to extricate themselves from their colonial past and new national anthems and flags emerged. Nevertheless, the official languages of the Games remain as French and English.<ref name="charter" /> Like other sporting events, the South Pacific Games has experienced slight controversies. A minor dispute that still continues today is the scheduling of events landing on a Sunday. Throughout the [[Pacific]], the [[Christian]] [[Sabbath in Christianity|Sabbath]] remains very important (sporting events or similar activity are illegal in [[Tonga]] for example) and scheduling at such a time would be frowned upon. The events themselves have also been affected by religious sensitivities, notably [[beach volleyball]] where the official uniform of [[bikini]]s for women has been forced to give way to more conservative attire.<ref>[http://www.niufm.com/?t=3&View=FullStory&newsID=2347 Bikinis out, Shorts in at Beach Volleyball] Pacific Radio News - Niue FM, 29 August 2007</ref> However other larger nations within the region or those loosely associated with more [[secular]] states (e.g [[Cook Islands]] ([[New Zealand]]), [[American Samoa]] ([[USA]]), and [[French Polynesia]] (France)) are more moderate in this regard. Other global and regional events have also influenced and shaped the Games' history. In [[1995]], the year [[Papeete]], [[Tahiti]] hosted the Games, many countries took the decision to boycott as a direct protest at French [[nuclear testing]] in the Pacific.<ref>[http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/index.html?http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/437/4318.html French tests: Opposition grows], article summarising the response to French nuclear testing in the Pacific from [http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/index.html?http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/437/4318.html World Information Service on Energy] retrieved 19 February 2007</ref> The Games, however, returned to near full regional participation in the following event in [[1999]], held on [[Guam]]. According to the Pacific Games Council<ref name="charter">[http://www.sportingpulse.com/pics/20/02/200259_firstfileFILE.pdf Pacifc Games Council Charter]</ref>, The South Pacific Games were established with a view to <blockquote> "creating bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood amongst people of the countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion or politics." </blockquote> The South Pacific Games were established to ensure the efficient promotion and development of sports amongst the South Pacific Nations and their peoples<ref name="charter" />. With expansion and economic growth in the Pacific and Oceania region, the South Pacific Commission changed its name in 1998 to the ''Pacific Community''<ref name="charter" />. The "Pacific Games" as they are now to be styled are intended to be something of a physical representation of the Pacific Communities as they move forward from the first South Pacific Games in 1963.<ref name="charter" /> The [[2003 South Pacific Games|XII South Pacific Games]] held in [[Suva]], [[Fiji]] saw for the first time the introduction of a full program of 32 sports.<ref name="opening">[http://www.sidsnet.org/pacific/usp/journ/journ_archive/spg2003/spg_buildup/spg2806035.html Sidsnet.org]</ref> That program included sports that are synonymous with the Pacific region as well as sports that have a limited participation and are generally not well established.<ref name="charter" /> The [[2007 Pacific Games|XIII Pacific Games]] are to be hosted in [[Apia]], [[Samoa]]. They will be the 13th to have been held since 1963. In contrast to the [[Olympic Games]] which are expected to generate income for the host nation<ref>[http://www.cbre.com/USA/About+Us/Media+Centre/CBRE+News/Olympic+Games+Generate+New+Commerical+Real+Estate+Opportunities+in+Greece.htm Article by CBRE regarding increase to gross domestic product and real estate values as a result of the 2004 Athens Olympics]</ref>, the 2007 Pacific Games are expected to leave Samoa US$92million in debt, predominantly as a result of expenditure on large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges and roads.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Games puts Samoa in debt |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s2022986.htm|work= |publisher=ABC Radio Australia |date=2007-09-03 |accessdate=2007-09-03 }}</ref> Potential debt positions notwithstanding, five nations ([[Papua New Guinea]], [[Vanuatu]], [[Solomon Islands]], [[Tonga]] and [[American Samoa]]) are expected to bid for the [[2015 Pacific Games]]. ==Pacific Mini Games== Since 1981 the region has also run the '''Pacific Mini Games''' (previously the '''South Pacific Mini Games''') to enable smaller nations to compete against each other. Also a multi-sport event it is a scaled-down version of the main Pacific Games and is similarly rotated on a four year basis in the intervening years between the main games. The following cities and nations have hosted (or will host) the Pacific Mini Games: *1981 - [[Honiara]], [[Solomon Islands]] *1985 - [[Rarotonga]], [[Cook Islands]] *1989 - [[Nukuʻalofa|Nuku{{Okina}}alofa]], [[Tonga]] *1993 - [[Port Vila]], [[Vanuatu]] *1997 - [[Pago Pago]], [[American Samoa]] *2001 - [[Kingston, Norfolk Island|Kingston]], [[Norfolk Island]] *2005 - [[Koror]], [[Palau]] *2009 – [[Rarotonga]], [[Cook Islands]] *2013 – [[Wallis and Futuna]] As with the main games, the cost of providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure is a concern to the region's smaller nations. In preparation for the 2009 Games in Rarotonga, despite having hosted the games previously, the local government considered diverting funds from a highway project, and secured a loan for US$10 million from the Chinese government to finance the building of a stadium.<ref>[http://www.cinews.co.ck/local.htm#9 Stadium and China loan on hold] ''Cook Islands News Online'', 12 September 2007</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5WERmkloy|archivedate=2008-03-11|url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=38500|title=Stadium for Mini Games in Cooks gets go-ahead|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=[[11 March]] [[2008]]}}</ref> ==Qualification for FIFA World Cup== For the first time in 2007, the Pacific Games formed part of the [[FIFA World Cup qualification|qualification]] to the [[FIFA World Cup]] of soccer (see also ''[[Football at the 2007 South Pacific Games]]'').<ref>[http://www.oceaniafootball.com/index.cgi?det=1&intArticleID=2031&sID=12 OFC 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUTE VIA ASIA], Oceania Football Confederation Official site. Retrieved on [[December 20]], [[2006]]</ref> The Pacific Games were, until 2007, open for teams associated to the [[Oceania Football Confederation]] only, for example teams from [[Federated States of Micronesia national football team|Micronesia]] or [[Tuvalu national football team|Tuvalu]] or provisional members of the [[NF-Board]] such as [[Kiribati national football team|Kiribati]].<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/southpac03.html South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji)], Evidence of all matches in men's and women's [[football (soccer)]] tournaments on [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]]. Retrieved on [[July 14]], [[2003]] (Author: Andre Zlotkowski)</ref> == South Pacific Games Locations == * [[1963 South Pacific Games|1963]] - [[Suva]], [[Fiji]] * [[1966 South Pacific Games|1966]] - [[Nouméa]], [[New Caledonia]] * [[1969 South Pacific Games|1969]] - [[Port Moresby]], [[Papua New Guinea]] * [[1971 South Pacific Games|1971]] - [[Papeete]], [[Tahiti]] * [[1975 South Pacific Games|1975]] - [[Guam]] * [[1979 South Pacific Games|1979]] - [[Suva]], [[Fiji]] * [[1983 South Pacific Games|1983]] - [[Apia]], [[Western Samoa]] * [[1987 South Pacific Games|1987]] - [[Nouméa]], [[New Caledonia]] * [[1991 South Pacific Games|1991]] - [[Port Moresby]]/[[Lae]], [[Papua New Guinea]] * [[1995 South Pacific Games|1995]] - [[Papeete]], [[Tahiti]] * [[1999 South Pacific Games|1999]] - [[Guam]] * [[2003 South Pacific Games|2003]] - [[Suva]], [[Fiji]] * [[2007 Pacific Games|2007]] - [[Apia]], [[Samoa]] * [[2011 Pacific Games|2011]] - [[Nouméa]], [[New Caledonia]] * [[2015 Pacific Games|2015]] - To be confirmed ==Sporting Events== * [[Archery]] * [[Athletics (track and field)|Athletics]] * [[Badminton]] * [[Baseball at the South Pacific Games|Baseball]] * [[Basketball]] * [[Beach Volleyball]] * [[Bodybuilding]] * [[Boxing]] * [[Cricket at the South Pacific Games|Cricket]] * [[Golf]] * [[Hockey]] * [[Judo]] * [[Lawn Bowls]] * [[Netball]] * [[Canoeing|Outrigger Canoeing]], see [[Canoeing]] * [[Powerlifting]] * [[Rugby Sevens]] * [[Rugby League]] * [[Sailing]] * [[Shooting]] * [[Softball]] * [[Football at the South Pacific Games]], (Preliminary Qualification for [[OFC Nations Cup]] and [[FIFA World Cup]]) * [[Squash (sport)|Squash]] * [[Surfing]] * [[Swimming]] * [[Table Tennis]] * [[Taekwando]] * [[Tennis]] * [[Touch Rugby]] * [[Triathlon]] * [[Volleyball]] * [[Weightlifting]] * [[Amateur wrestling|Wrestling]] ==Cumulative Medals Table (after 2007 South Pacific Games)== Officially<ref name="charter" /> the final medal tally of the Games does not recognize a 'winner', regarding 'competition' and 'fair play' more highly. {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- bgcolor="#efefef" ! colspan=5 style="border-right:0px;";| South Pacific Games medal count | style="border-left:0px"; | |- bgcolor="#efefef" | '''Pos''' | '''Country''' | bgcolor="gold" | [[Image:Med 1.png|Gold]] | bgcolor="silver" | [[Image:Med 2.png|Silver]] | bgcolor="CC9966" | [[Image:Med 3.png|Bronze]] | '''Total''' |- || 1 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon image|New Caledonia Sports Flag.gif}} '''[[New Caledonia]]''' || 658 || 516 || 468 || 1638 |- || 2 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|French Polynesia}} '''[[French Polynesia]]''' || 386 || 337 || 355 || 1078 |- || 3 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Fiji}} '''[[Fiji]]''' || 353 || 417 || 340 || 1110 |- || 4 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Papua New Guinea}} '''[[Papua New Guinea]]''' || 296 || 305 || 296 || 897 |- || 5 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Samoa}} '''[[Samoa]]''' (includes [[Western Samoa]]) || 145 || 112 || 112 || 379 |- || 6 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Nauru}} '''[[Nauru]]''' || 74 || 41 || 25 || 142 |- || 7 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Guam}} '''[[Guam]]''' || 59 || 88 || 115 || 264 |- || 8 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|American Samoa}} '''[[American Samoa]]''' || 41 || 42 || 70 || 153 |- || 9 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Tonga}} '''[[Tonga]]''' || 38 || 54 || 73 || 164 |- || 10 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Wallis and Futuna|local}} '''[[Wallis and Futuna]]''' || 22 || 35 || 71 || 128 |- || 11 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Cook Islands}} '''[[Cook Islands]]''' || 19 || 36 || 41 || 96 |- || 11 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Micronesia}} '''[[Federated States of Micronesia]]''' || 13 || 15 || 11 || 39 |- || 13 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Vanuatu}} '''[[Vanuatu]]''' (includes [[New Hebrides]]) || 12 || 33 || 53 || 98 |- || 14 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Solomon Islands}} '''[[Solomon Islands]]''' || 10 || 42 || 72 || 122 |- || 15 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Palau}} '''[[Palau]]''' || 9 || 13 || 9 || 31 |- || 16 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Northern Mariana Islands}} '''[[Northern Mariana]]''' || 4 || 12 || 12 || 28 |- || 17 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Norfolk Island}} '''[[Norfolk Island]]''' || 3 || 10 || 15 || 28 |- || 18 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Tokelau}} '''[[Tokelau]]''' || 3 || 2 || 1 || 6 |- || 19 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Kiribati}} '''[[Kiribati]]''' (includes [[Gilbert Islands|Gilbert]] & [[Ellice Islands|Ellice]]) || 2 || 10 || 15 || 29 |- || 20 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Marshall Islands}} '''[[Marshall Islands]]''' || - || 3 || 6 || 9 |- || 21 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Niue}} '''[[Niue]]''' || - || 1 || 6 || 7 |- || 22 || style="text-align:left" | {{flagicon|Tuvalu}} '''[[Tuvalu]]''' || - || 1 || 1 || 2 |} ==Future Prospects== The possibility of extending participation to all members of the [[Pacific Islands Forum]] has been flagged and it is hoped that participation of all countries will occur at the next games due to be held in 2010.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} ==See also== *[[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)]] == References == {{reflist}} == External links == *[http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/southpac.html List of South Pacific Games and Mini Games on www.rsssf.com] by [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]] *[http://www.samoa2007.ws/about.cfm?id=2 Official site of the XIII South Pacific Games in Samoa 2007] with all sports and all participating countries *[http://www.southpacificgames.com/ SPG Blog] [[Category:South Pacific Games]] [[Category:Multi-sport events]] [[Category:Sport in Oceania]] [[de:South Pacific Games]] [[fr:Jeux du Pacifique sud]] [[ko:태평양 게임]] [[la:Ludi Pacifici]]