XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, Greece-VIP send-off for athletes |05 August 2004

This is the message of President James Michel for the Seychelles Olympic team who was not at full strength at State House Wednesday August 4 for a special farewell reception.

Also present were Vice-President Joseph Belmont, Minister Designate Danny Faure, Sports Minister Sylvette Pool, Foreign Affairs Minister Jérémie Bonnelame, other high government officials, athletes and officials who are to compete in the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, Greece, and chairpersons of federations and associations whose sports will be represented in the Greek capital.

The Games will take place from August 13 to 29.

President Michel hosted the reception to "launch the Seychelles team on their Olympian journey" and asked all athletes to be "proud ambassadors of Seychelles and to fly the Seychelles flag in Athens."

The President added that he will continue to champion the development of sports here and promised to do his best so that Seychellois sportsmen and women continue to participate in international competitions.

In his address, President Michel also talked about the Seychelles team's unprecedented best result in the Indian Ocean Islands Games last year in Mauritius by saying:

"Remember the joy that you and your colleagues provided our nation when you participated in last year's Indian Ocean Islands Games. Your success is an example for other youths of Seychelles."

Seychelles National Olympic Committee (Snoc) president Antonio Gopal stressed that Seychelles' dream is to win an Olympic medal and this, he said, "will happen."

To realise this dream, potential athletes have to follow a good training plan and be exposed to international competitions.

Mr Gopal added he was certain that President Michel would help in achieving this goal.
He also asked all athletes to give their very best as "good results can get them scholarships".

For his part, swimmer Bertrand Bristol, who will be competing in Athens as an invitee, said that all athletes were happy to get the opportunity to participate in the Athens Olympics as a result of their hard work.

Those present were also briefed about Seychelles' participation at the Olympics by National Olympic Academy of Seychelles chairman Alain Alcindor, while Sportslady of the Year Shrone Austin and male canoeist Tony Lespoir were dressed in the country's team's official uniform for these games.

The same two athletes then presented President Michel and Minister Pool with replicas of travelling bags and T-Shirts members of the delegation will carry and wear in Athens.

It is to note that Seychelles will be represented by nine sportsmen and women in Athens.
The Seychellois athletes who are to take part in the Games this year are Kitson Julie (boxing), Allan Julie (sailing), Celine Laporte, Evans Marie (track and field athletics), Shrone Austin, Bertrand Bristol (swimming), Tony Lespoir (canoeing), Richard Scheer (weightlifting) and Francis Labrosse (judo).

Seychelles will also be represented in the youth camp organised by the International Olympic Committee and the two participants are female sailor Beth Gertrude and male swimmer Steven Mangroo.

Gertrude has been chosen to be a torch bearer and she will participate in the torch relay on August 12.

This will be Seychelles’ sixth participation in the Olympics. The previous participations were in Moscow, Soviet Union (in 1980); in Los Angeles, USA (in 1984); in Barcelona, Spain (in 1992); in Atlanta, USA (in 1996) and in Sydney, Australia (in 2000).