Pacific Games
The Pacific Games (French: Jeux du Pacifique), is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from Oceania. The inaugural Games took place in 1963 in Suva, Fiji, and most recently in 2019 in Apia, Samoa. The Games were called the South Pacific Games from 1963 to 2007. The Pacific Games Council (PGC) organises the Games and oversees the host city's preparations. Athletes with a disability are included as full members of their national teams. In each sporting event, gold medals are awarded for first place, silver medals are awarded for second place, and bronze medals are awarded for third place.
| Abbreviation | PAG |
|---|---|
| First event | 1963 |
| Occur every | 4 years |
| Headquarters | Suva, Fiji |
| President | Vidhya Lakhan |
| Website | Official website |
Nine different cities in six countries and territories have hosted the Pacific Games. Four countries have hosted the games three times: Fiji (1963, 1979, 2003), New Caledonia (1966, 1987, 2011), Papua New Guinea (1969, 1991, 2015) and Samoa (1983, 2007, 2019). French Polynesia, who hosted in 1971 and 1995, will become the fifth country to host the Games for the third time in 2027. The United States territory of Guam have hosted the Games twice in 1975 and 1999. The Solomon Islands will become the seventh country to host the event come 2023.
Only six countries have attended every edition of the Pacific Games: Fiji, French Polynesia (Tahiti), New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatu. New Caledonia have dominated thirteen out of the sixteen Pacific Games, Papua New Guinea with two, and Fiji with one.
History Edit
Concept Edit
The idea of holding the South Pacific Games originated with Dr A.H. Sahu Khan who was one of Fiji's representatives at a meeting of the South Pacific Commission held at Rabaul during 1959. The idea was adopted and led to a meeting of nine Territories, held in Nouméa during March 1961, which awarded Fiji the honour of hosting the very first Games.[1]
Creation Edit
During 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games Council, 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 European 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 British or 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, English and French remain the official languages of the Games.[2]
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 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 bikinis for women has been forced to give way to more conservative attire.[3] However other larger nations within the region or those loosely associated with more secular states (e.g. Cook Islands (New Zealand), American Samoa (United States), 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.[4] The Games, however, returned to near full regional participation in the following event in 1999, held on Guam.
The first objective of the Pacific Games Council, according to its Charter,[5] is
"To create 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."
The Games were initiated to promote and develop sport amongst the nations and peoples of the South Pacific.[1] After fifty years in existence, The South Pacific Commission changed its name to the Pacific Community.[1]
Modern day games Edit
The XII South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji saw for the first time the introduction of a full program of 32 sports.[6] 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.
A strong corporate sponsorship package a first for the games enabled the organizers to work with a free hand towards their aims of making the games a success. A colorful and effective media and publicity campaign generated much interest and enthusiasm among the public in Fiji. Schools and youth groups were involved in interactive programs such as the adopt-a-country program also a first for the games.[7]
The XIII Pacific Games were hosted in Apia, Samoa. They were the 13th to have been held since 1963. In contrast to the Olympic Games which are expected to generate income for the host nation,[8] the 2007 Pacific Games were expected to leave Samoa US$92million in debt, predominantly as a result of expenditure on large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges and roads.[9]
Potential debt positions notwithstanding, five nations (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga and American Samoa) bid for the 2015 Pacific Games. The Games were ultimately awarded to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and follow the 2011 Pacific Games held in Nouméa, New Caledonia. However the rising cost (purportedly in excess of $1 billion) and the logistical burden of putting on the games continue to threaten countries' abilities to host the event.[10]
Pacific Games Council Edit
The games governing body is the Pacific Games Council. The Games council flag is presented to the host nation of the next games at the end of every games. With expansion and economic growth in the Pacific and Oceania countries of the Pacific Islands, the South Pacific Games Council decided to modernise and revise its charter in light of these changes in the region and the changing place of Sport in our society, thus the council adapted a new charter in 2007.
The current President of the Council is Vidhya Lakhan from Fiji.
Member associations Edit
Membership of the Council includes internationally recognised National Multisport Organisations within countries and territories who are members of the Pacific Community.[5] There are currently 22 members, 15 of which are members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).[11] The Pitcairn Islands are the only Pacific Community member that is not a member of the Pacific Games Council, whereas Norfolk Island was admitted as a member of the Council despite not being a member of the Pacific Community.
In July 2014, the Oceania National Olympic Committees voted to allow Australia and New Zealand to take part in the 2015 Pacific Games. The risk of seeing the two wealthy, developed nations dominate the competition had previously prevented their inclusion. They were allowed to send participants only in rugby sevens, sailing, taekwondo and weightlifting - sports where other Pacific countries had proved sufficiently competitive against them in the past.[12] Australia and New Zealand have since continued to compete on an invitational basis.
In 2018, the Council created an "associate membership" category for other territories in Oceania.[13] Potential candidates for membership include Easter Island, West Papua, Hawaii and Christmas Island.[14]
List of Pacific Games Edit
Editions Edit
| Year | Edition | Host city | Host Association | Opened by | Sports | Events | Teams | Start date | End date | Competitors | Top Association | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | I | Suva | Fiji | Sir Kenneth Maddocks | 10 | 58 | 13 | 29 Aug. | 8 Sep. | 646 | Fiji | |
| 1966 | II | Nouméa | New Caledonia | Unknown | 12 | 86 | 14 | 8 Dec. | 18 Dec. | 1200 | New Caledonia | |
| 1969 | III | Port Moresby | Papua New Guinea | Prince Edward | 15 | 95 | 12 | 13 Aug. | 23 Aug. | 1150 | New Caledonia | |
| 1971 | IV | Papeete | Tahiti | Pierre Messmer | 17 | 117 | 14 | 25 Aug. | 5 Sep. | 2000 | New Caledonia | |
| 1975 | V | Tumon | Guam | Ricardo Bordallo | 16 | 119 | 13 | 1 Aug. | 10 Aug. | 1205 | New Caledonia | |
| 1979 | VI | Suva | Fiji | Unknown | 18 | 129 | 19 | 28 Aug. | 8 Sep. | 2672 | New Caledonia | |
| 1983 | VII | Apia | Western Samoa | Malietoa Tanumafili II | 15 | 97 | 13 | 5 Sep. | 16 Sep. | 2500 | New Caledonia | |
| 1987 | VIII | Nouméa | New Caledonia | Unknown | 18 | 159 | 12 | 8 Dec. | 20 Dec. | 1650 | New Caledonia | |
| 1991 | IX | Port Moresby | Papua New Guinea | Prince Andrew | 17 | 164 | 16 | 7 Sep. | 21 Sep. | 2000 | Papua New Guinea | |
| 1995 | X | Pirae | Tahiti | Unknown | 25 | 253 | 12 | 25 Aug. | 5 Sep. | 2000 | New Caledonia | |
| 1999 | XI | Santa Rita | Guam | Unknown | 22 | 233 | 21 | 29 May | 12 Jun. | 3000+ | New Caledonia | |
| 2003 | XII | Suva | Fiji | Josefa Iloilo | 32 | 309 | 22 | 28 Jun. | 12 Jul. | 5000 | New Caledonia | |
| 2007 | XIII | Apia | Samoa | Tufuga Efi | 33 | 305 | 22 | 25 Aug. | 8 Sep. | 5000 | New Caledonia | |
| 2011 | XIV | Nouméa | New Caledonia | Nicolas Sarkozy | 27 | 305 | 22 | 27 Aug. | 10 Sep. | 4300 | New Caledonia | |
| 2015 | XV | Port Moresby | Papua New Guinea | Prince Andrew | 28 | 300 | 24 | 4 Jul. | 18 Jul. | 3700 | Papua New Guinea | |
| 2019 | XVI | Apia | Samoa | Va'aletoa Sualauvi II | 26 | 322 | 24 | 7 Jul. | 20 Jul. | 3500 | New Caledonia | |
| 2023 | XVII | Honiara | Solomon Islands | TBA | 24 | TBD | 24 | 19 Nov. | 2 Dec. | TBD | ||
| 2027 | XVIII | Pirae | Tahiti | TBA | 24 | TBD | 24 | TBD | ||||
| 2031 | XIX | TBA | 24 | TBD | 24 | TBD | ||||||
Sports Edit
There are 37 sports approved by the Pacific Games Council, as at December 2017.[15] In accordance with the Pacific Games Charter, a maximum 24 sports shall be contested at every games starting from the 2023 games and onwards.[16]
Core sports Edit
The number of Pacific Games core sports is 17, effective for the 2023 Games. The core sports are required to be included at every edition of the games.[16] Sailing and Triathlon were made core sports in 2016,[16] and Archery was added in 2021.[17]
Details for each core sport, up to and including the 2023 games, are presented in the table below:
| Sport (discipline) | Contested | Years | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 8 times | 1971–1975, 1995, 2003–2011, 2019–present | ||
| Athletics | All | 1963–present | ||
| Basketball a | (5x5) | All | 1963–present | |
| (3x3) | 2 times | 2019–present | ||
| Boxing | All | 1963–present | ||
| Football | 16 times | 1963–1995, 2003–present | ||
| Golf | 15 times | 1969–present | ||
| Judo | 12 times | 1969–1979, 1987, 1995–2011, 2019–present | ||
| Outrigger canoeing | 8 times | 1995–present | ||
| Rugby sevens | 6 times | 1999–present | ||
| Sailing | 14 times | 1969–1979, 1987–present | ||
| Swimming | 16 times | 1963–1979, 1987–present | ||
| Table tennis | All | 1963–present | ||
| Taekwondo | 8 times | 1995–present | ||
| Tennis | All | 1963–present | ||
| Triathlon | 8 times | 1995–present | ||
| Volleyball b | (indoor) | All | 1963–present | |
| (beach) | 7 times | 1999–present | ||
| Weightlifting | 16 times | 1966–present | ||
Optional sports Edit
There are 20 sports optional for inclusion at a games, as selected by the host nation's organising committee. Details for each optional sport, up to and including the 2023 games, are presented in the table below:
| Sport (discipline) | Contested | Years | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badminton | 4 times | 2003–2011, 2019 | ||
| Baseball | 4 times | 1999–2011 | ||
| Billiards | Never | N/A | ||
| Bodybuilding | 6 times | 1995, 2003–2015, 2023 | ||
| Cricket | 8 times | 1979, 1987–1991, 2003–present | ||
| Cycling | 5 times | 1966, 1971–1975, 1987, 1995 | ||
| Field hockey | 5 times | 1979, 2003–2007, 2015, 2023 | ||
| Handball | Never | N/A | ||
| Karate | 6 times | 1995–2003, 2011–2015, 2023 | ||
| Lawn bowls | 7 times | 1979, 1983, 1991, 2003–2007, 2015–2019 | ||
| Netball c | 13 times | 1963–1969, 1979–1983, 1991–2007, 2015–present | ||
| Powerlifting | 7 times | 1995, 2003–present | ||
| Rugby league nines | 4 times | 2007, 2015–present | ||
| Shooting | 7 times | 1987, 1995, 2003–2019 | ||
| Snooker | Never | N/A | ||
| Softball | 6 times | 1969–1975, 1991, 2007, 2015 | ||
| Squash | 9 times | 1979–1991, 2003–2019 | ||
| Surfing | 4 times | 1995, 2003–2011 | ||
| Touch rugby d | 5 times | 2003–2007, 2015–present | ||
| Wrestling | 2 times | 1999, 2007 | ||
Former sports Edit
Former sports include rugby 15s (replaced by rugby 7s) and underwater fishing (last contested in 1999).
| Sport (discipline) | Contested | Years | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rugby union | 9 times | 1963–1971, 1979–1995 | ||
| Underwater fishing | 4 times | 1971–1975, 1995–1999 | ||
Also included at the 2009 Pacific Mini Games was rugby league 7s (now replaced by rugby league 9s).
Notes:
^a The 3x3 format was added as an extra discipline for basketball in 2019 after being included at the Mini Games in 2017.
^b Volleyball and beach volleyball disciplines have been listed as one sport for the purposes of the Games program since some time after the bids for the XV Games (in conjunction with the maximum number of sports being reduced from 28 to 26 for the XVI Games).[18][19]
^c Netball is a women's competition only.
^d Touch rugby is an optional sport but men's, women's and mixed tournaments must be included if touch rugby is selected.
All-time medal table Edit
Officially the final medal tally of the Games does not recognize a winner, regarding competition and fair play more highly.[7]
Australia and New Zealand were included in the all-time medal count for the first time after the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The table below includes all Games from 1963 to 2019.
Nation(s) in italics are defunct PGAs.
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Caledonia | 911 | 727 | 631 | 2269 |
| 2 | French Polynesia | 517 | 450 | 479 | 1446 |
| 3 | Papua New Guinea | 470 | 436 | 446 | 1352 |
| 4 | Fiji | 422 | 485 | 498 | 1405 |
| 5 | Samoa (includes Western Samoa) | 232 | 193 | 201 | 626 |
| 6 | Nauru | 101 | 67 | 61 | 229 |
| 7 | Guam | 65 | 108 | 134 | 307 |
| 8 | Tonga | 58 | 66 | 105 | 229 |
| 9 | Australia | 50 | 28 | 25 | 103 |
| 10 | American Samoa | 45 | 48 | 81 | 174 |
| 11 | Cook Islands | 31 | 54 | 70 | 155 |
| 12 | Vanuatu (includes New Hebrides) | 29 | 63 | 100 | 192 |
| 13 | Wallis and Futuna | 25 | 42 | 85 | 152 |
| 14 | Micronesia | 20 | 14 | 10 | 44 |
| 15 | Solomon Islands | 19 | 52 | 92 | 163 |
| 16 | Kiribati | 12 | 26 | 33 | 71 |
| 17 | New Zealand | 9 | 19 | 16 | 44 |
| 18 | Palau | 9 | 14 | 13 | 36 |
| 19 | Northern Mariana Islands | 8 | 12 | 12 | 32 |
| 20 | Norfolk Island | 7 | 15 | 18 | 40 |
| 21 | Tokelau | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 22 | Tuvalu | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
| 23 | Niue | 1 | 6 | 12 | 19 |
| 24 | Marshall Islands | 0 | 4 | 13 | 17 |
| 25 | Gilbert and Ellice Islands | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Totals (25 entries) | 3046 | 2936 | 3144 | 9126 | |
See also Edit
References Edit
- ^ a b c "History". Pacific Games Council Official Website. 2013. from the original on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
- ^ Charter 2007, p. 6.
- ^ Bikinis out, Shorts in at Beach Volleyball 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Pacific Radio News - Niue FM, 29 August 2007
- ^ French tests: Opposition grows 10 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine, article summarising the response to French nuclear testing in the Pacific from World Information Service on Energy 10 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 19 February 2007
- ^ a b Charter 2007, p. 4.
- ^ Sidsnet.org 4 May 2005 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "2003 Twelfth South Pacific Games, Suva, Fiji". from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- ^ "Article by CBRE regarding increase to gross domestic product and real estate values as a result of the 2004 Athens Olympics". from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
- ^ "Games puts Samoa in debt". ABC Radio Australia. 3 September 2007. from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
- ^ Paligaru, Clement. "PNG risks losing right to host 2015 Pacific Games". ABC Radio Australia. from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Pacific Games Council - DIRECTORY 2013" (PDF 0.4 MB). Pacific Games Council. 2013. from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Vanuatu committed to 2017 Pacific Mini Games". Cook Islands News. 11 May 2017. from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
- ^ "Australia and New Zealand involvement in Pacific Games expected to grow further". insidethegames.biz. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ Butler, Nick (30 October 2012). "West Papua, Hawaii and Christmas Island mooted as future Pacific Mini Games participants". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ Charter 2018, p. 14–15.
- ^ a b c "Pacific Games: Sports Program Review". Pacific Games Council. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ Monnier, Jean-Marc (25 November 2021). "Archery: The discipline now "compulsory sport"". Archived from the original on 1 April 2022.
- ^ Charter 2010, pp. 15–16.
- ^ Charter 2012, pp. 15–16.
Sources Edit
- (PDF 0.3 MB) (Report). Pacific Games Council. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF 0.3 MB) on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- Charter - Constitution, Code of Conduct, Protocols, and Regulations adopted Apia, Samoa 14 May 2006 - As amended most recently in Noumea, New Caledonia, 27 August 2010 (PDF 0.3 MB) (Report). Pacific Games Council. 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- Charter - Constitution, Code of Conduct, Protocols, and Regulations adopted Apia, Samoa 14 May 2006 - As amended most recently in Wallis Island, 19 October 2012 (PDF 0.3 MB) (Report). Pacific Games Council. 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- Charter - Constitution, Code of Conduct, Protocols, and Regulations adopted Apia, Samoa 14 May 2006 - As amended most recently in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 4 July 2014 (PDF 0.3 MB) (Report). Pacific Games Council. 2014. (PDF 0.3 MB) from the original on 4 March 2016.
- Charter - Constitution, Code of Conduct, Protocols, and Regulations adopted Apia, Samoa 14 May 2006 - As amended most recently in Port Vila, Vanuatu, 10 December 2017 (PDF 0.3 MB) (Report). Pacific Games Council. 2018. (PDF 0.3 MB) from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
External links Edit
- List of South Pacific Games and Mini Games on www.rsssf.com by Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
Archive Edit
- at the Wayback Machine (archived 29 November 2018)
- at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 August 2016)