AT LONG LAST: It has taken more than eight years but Samoa’s first Olympic medallist and the first woman in the Pacific to win an Olympic medal, Ele Opeloge, has finally been presented with her medal.

The official presentation of her silver medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics took place during a low-key ceremony in front of the government building yesterday.

The medal was presented by the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, in the presence of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

Ele was honoured with a certificate from the 2012 London Olympics for finishing 5th in her competition.

It was presented by the President of S.A.S.N.O.C, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i.

At the ceremony, Ele was also presented with the proceeds of the Samoa Observer’s Ele Fund.