Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 53

Instagram Bio goes a lil' something like: 

"Keeping my soul from the devil. Olympic & Field Sprinter. Black/Samoan (Mauala) Denver, CO > Phoenix, AZ

Born and raised in Denver, CO, Jeremy attended George Washington H.S. prior to the University of Arkansas, having then transferred to University of Colorado, where he earned a degree in Economics and Sociology with a minor in Neurophysiology and accepted into the CU School of Law. While competing collegiately, Jeremy was a four-time All-American (three at CU, one at UA) and set Colorado records in the indoor and outdoor 200 meters. Jeremy qualified for both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

The athlete is the son of Peggy Mauala, of Malie and Cyrus Dodson, of the United States. “I represented the United States for so many years but during all that time it just didn’t feel right,” he said. “I was just another person, another sprinter.” - Samoa Observer

He is currently representing Samoa at the IAAF World Championship with plans to go to next year's Rio Olympics. He has made it through to the Semi-finals.…more

Prime Minister Hon. Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva has released a statement stating the Games will be held in the Kingdom, despite difficulties in raising the funds necessary to finance it.

The decision was made to go ahead with the hosting after a special Cabinet meeting held earlier this week, with the Sports Organising Committee leaders meeting with Government officials to discuss details of the Games.

With the lack of funding for the construction of proper facilities and equipment for the Games, it was doubtful that Tonga would go ahead with hosting.

Sporting facilities such as a golf course and a swimming pool do not currently exist in Tonga, and these two facilities alone would take up half of the budget claimed to be needed for the 2019 Games. In addition, existing facilities in Tonga are not adequate for the Games - which includes an outdoor stadium, and an indoor stadium that would host basketball, volleyball, netball, and other events.

But Minister for Finance and National Planning, Dr. Hon.…more

Growing up a skinny Samoan in South Auckland, Jerome Kaino has be fighting hard to get to where he is today - and although he was an All Black at 21, some dark years followed him on his way to the top. His new book describes his humble origins in Papakura to the dizzying heights of rugby glory.

Check out an excerpt from his new book My Story, on sale from 31 July 2015.

The host country of the XV Pacific Games defeted Samoa in the final 38-10 to win gold, much to the delight of the home crowd.

The host team were on fine form throughout the tournament, and their win was a huge morale boost for the country. Tonga come away with the bronze medal after narrowly defeating Fiji 16-14 in the bronze medal match.

The Rugby League gold brings the PNG tally up 74, with a total of 32 gold overall with one more week left for the games.