I strongly agree with Athletics Fiji vice president and former South Pacific decathlon champion Albert Miller, who finally figured out the door to athletics supremacy as noted on fijilive.com on August 25, 2008. We need overseas exposure especially with US where the facilities, technology, sports medicine, coaching are so advanced. This formula can be proven when US again came out with the most number of medals in the last Olympics. Of course we cannot compare US with FIJI, but if we start sending our kids slowly in groups of 12 or so to other Universities overseas, we will surely reap the rewards in the future. We need them to train in world class facilities to compete with world class athletes.

In addition to that, we boast some of the fastest athletes in rugby, some rated the fastest in the world in the sport, literally supplied the world of rugby with wingers, yet we fail to send one to the Olympics to compete at that level. Did you know that the late Josefa Levula (former rugby winger), ran a 9.9 seconds in the 100m in the 70s? Who knows, he may have done that barefoot on grass or with rugby boots. History stated that sprinters were delighted that he didn’t show up for the Olympics. That 9.9 seconds was unheard of up until the earlier 80s during Carl Lewis time.

I would put my money on the maestro himself, with his dedication to training and taking care of himself, he would have made a very good Olympic athlete. Rumor has it, that he had the highest peep test in world rugby in his prime, that is level 17. With a world class off the mark speed and fitness to endure to the end, it would have been a treat. But it would only last for 10 seconds. Sevens rugby is a lifetime of entertainment.

With all do respect to the maestro Serevi, we just need to find a balance where we can acomodate Olympic sports with Rugby and be able to compete at the highest level in both. Or just make Rugby an Olympic sport but that is another story.