Team Cook Islands, with only two athletes, will be supported in Paris by officials, coaches and various dignitaries whose expenses are covered by the International Olympic Committee and government grants.

Team Cook Islands is sending only two athletes – swimmer Lanihei Connolly and athlete Alex Beddoes – to the 2024 Paris Olympics to be held from July 26 to August 11 in France. They will be accompanied by five officials and a contingent of other Cook Islanders.

Lanihei Connolly is competing in the 100 metres Breaststroke and is currently fine-tuning her preparations at a pre-games training camp facilitated by the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC).

Alex Beddoes, who will be competing in the 800m track event, is scheduled to depart the island today to join the Australian Athletics Olympic Team for a training camp.

Both athletes are scheduled to arrive at the Olympic Village on July 24, where the Team Cook Islands management will have meticulously set up their accommodations and resources to ensure a smooth transition and focus on their competitions.

Mark Short, serving as the chef de mission, leads Team Cook Islands which also includes Horst Miehe, the national swim coach, and Vaughan Craddock, who will provide essential guidance and support to the athletes, Raukura Ellison, the team attaché, and Tanya Browne, the Team physio.

Keziah Lewis, the secretary general of Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC), says there are a number of Cook Islands residents who will be present in Paris.

“They are not necessarily part of Team Cook Islands however they are travelling alongside the team and no doubt they will be supporting the team at their competitions,” Lewis said.

These people include “but are not limited to” CISNOC president Hugh Graham, Keziah Lewis, Minister for Sport Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa, King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters and his wife Lady Tuaine Marsters, CISNOC senior-vice president Romani Katoa, travelling as World Aquatics executive member, vice president Luisa Peters, travelling as International Weightlifting executive member, and vice president Dr Teariki Puni, travelling as doctor for ONOC shared services medical team.

According to Lewis, all expenses of the invitees of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), particularly the president and the secretary general, are covered through IOC grants.

She adds the invitees are given the privilege as part of the Olympic family and friends to have a guest accompany them, though all expenses and costs for the guest are personally met and not covered by the IOC grant.

The King’s Representative and his delegation’s expenses are covered by a government grant approved by Parliament, while the Minister of Sports travels on his ministry-allocated budget.

In general, the IOC grant covers the official team expenses and management team with the CISNOC delegates comprising the president and the secretary general and official Team Cook Islands and management. CISNOC covers the uniform and medical team expenses only, says Lewis.