Leading Bluesky Team Samoa into the Olympics Games Village

Report & Photos Courtesy of Toleafoa Douglas Creevey, Bluesky Team Samoa, London

LONDON: 25 July 2012: The Samoa national flag was hoisted at the Olympic Games Village in London this morning, in a fun-filled musical ceremony.

The ceremony was presided by the Deputy Village Mayor, Dame Tessa Jowell in the attendance of Bluesky Team Samoa’s athletes and SASNOC delegates.

Welcoming the athletes, who have attained the distinction of representing their countries after years of hard work, the Village Deputy Mayor said: “Athletes from various cultures will call our Olympic Village their home, and we hope you take back cherished memories.”

Dame Tessa Jowell formally welcomed Samoa’s NOC President Tapasu Leung Wai, who made a presentation of a ceremonial Kava Bowl to the dignitary before the Flag of the Independent nation of Samoa was hoisted to the patriotic tunes of “Samoa Tula’i” from the team.

The athletes and delegates were entertained by colourful youngsters from the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain with lively musical performances complemented by theatrical acrobatics.

The performers danced to several entertaining songs by famous British band Queen, culminating in “We Are The Champions” and ending with a salute to the athletes who will compete for glory.

All of Samoa’s Olympic contingent has now checked into the Games Village, except one of our athletes, Rudolph Berking-Williams who is living at an alternative location further out of London to minimise his daily travel time to his remote sports venue.

Dame Tessa Jowell receives the ceremonial Kava Bowl from Samoa’s NOC President, Nu’u Tapasu Leung Wai

After the Flag raising, President Tapasu signed on the vertical pillars of the “Truce Wall’ signifying Samoa’s support and commitment to the values propounded by the Olympic Truce of 193 nations of the United Nations. President Leung Wai commented, “It was a privilege for me to sign on the Truce Wall on behalf of Samoa, to signify our full support for a peaceful and successful Olympics”

The ceremony concluded with the Queen of ceremonies reciting a poem that extolled the athletes to “Follow your Dreams.”

Alongside Samoa, the flags of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kenya and Suriname were also raised in the same ceremony.

The new London Olympic Village here in Stratford, with its 11 residential blocks and more than 16,000 beds, will be home to the world’s strongest and fastest people over the coming three weeks.

The 2012 London Summer Olympics, enjoying beautiful sunny weather all this week, has its Opening Ceremony this week on the evening of Friday 27^th July.