The President of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, says there is a big difference between winning an Olympic medal and success at the Commonwealth Games.

Tuaopepe made the comment to Radio New Zealand as the government is facing pressure to provide a monetary reward for Ele Opeloge, who was awarded the silver medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics after two competitors were disqualified for drugs.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the government's policy was to only offer monetary awards for gold medal winners.

Ele and Niusila Opeloge and Faavae Faauliuli all won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi seven years ago. Tuaopepe was their coach.

"Back in 2010 in Delhi Commonwealth Games the government reward was 50,000 Tala for the gold medallists," he said.

"They got a good substantial amount and it's a Commonwealth Games. We're looking at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics and there's a big difference there."

"There's a vast difference in the level of competition and the achievements and the totals that they're doing in the Commonwealth compared to the totals that they're doing at the Olympic Games."

"So in order to win a medal at the Olympic Games and it is much, much higher than a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games."

Tuaopepe said it's still hoped the ceremony to present Ele Opeloge with her silver medal will take place later this month.

In the meantime, the Samoa Observer has set up the Samoa Observer Ele’s Fund to allow members of the public to donate money for Ele.

How to contribute to Samoa Observer - Ele’s Fund

Take your donation to the Samoa Observer Apia office or the Samoa Observer Vaitele headquarters, record your name and details and get a receipt.

or, Take your donation to the Bank of the South Pacific, Apia, Vaitele  or Salelologa, 

Account: Samoa Observer – Ele’s Fund: 2000935599 and record your name and details.  

and,Ring us about your donation if you have an individual, group, class, school or business, and you would like newspaper coverage, please contact.

Marj 7516766 

or 

Salema 23078