The Olympic Games are considered the pinnacle of sports. Even to participate, and stand among the best in whichever discipline one has qualified in, is an honour in itself.

This year, 24 athletes from our tiny island rock in the Pacific Ocean will face the world’s best. They are our best and the nation will be behind them. It is no easy task to make it to the Olympic Games. The Odyssey is a tough one and it requires a lot of sacrifice.

That is what these 24 athletes have done. They have battled and won when the odds were stacked against them. Before they qualified, most funded themselves to events ensuring this path. There was little government backing to some but they did it.

Despite the lack of funding, and support from the government and lack of sponsors, these athletes have made it and they need our full support.

Don Opeloge, our flag bearer remains our top bet for a gold medal. He has excelled in all his competitions this year and the previous. His story of determination is enough to inspire the next generation of athletes who dream of Olympic glory. The sacrifices he has made and his determination to keep on getting better are exemplary.

Other athletes have strived equally. The nation should also acknowledge our overseas-based athletes. Some are not even born here, but the heritage and culture are so strong that they bleed blue and don the national colours without even blinking.

The people behind these athletes are the ones who choose to remain behind the scenes, yet they play the biggest roles. The coaches, the managers and the administrators of the various sporting bodies the athletes represent.

Everyone knows the amount of hard work and sacrifice Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork puts into the sport. He houses the weightlifters, trains them and finances their travels. Being a former Olympian, he knows that athletes do not need such distractions. They need to be focused on training.

He has done that for his two lifters to the Olympics. If Don Opeloge can win a gold medal, it would be a combination of all the factors mentioned. This will be creating history and stamping Samoa’s mark on the biggest sports stage in the world.

Samoa has qualified in nine sports, discus thrower Alexander Melei Rose for Athletics, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali for Boxing, Will Tai Tin for Judo, Tuva'a Mako Hugo Clifton and Samalaulu Fuatino Te Aho Clifton for Kayak, Eroni Leilua and Vaimo'oi'a Astrid Ripley for Sailing, Johann Strickland and Kaiya Brown for Swimming, Gaku Akasawa for Wrestling, Manu Samoa 7s, Iuniarra Sipaia and Don Opeloge for weightlifting.

Some of the athletes are already in Paris, while others await their departure according to the schedule of their sports.

First up in action will be the Manu Samoa 7s. The rugby sevens competition starts even before the opening ceremony.

This is the first time the rugby sevens team from Samoa will be at the Olympic Games. The team did not qualify for the first two. It was not an easy path this time and a lot of questions have been asked about the team.

But this is the Olympic Games and anything can happen. Muliagatele Brian Lima knows what he is doing and hopefully, the team is fired up. Many at home will be watching the boys in action. It is a 13-hour time difference, but that does not matter to the fans and family. There will be noise when we win and tears when we lose.

To all the athletes, coaches, and management who fly the Samoan flag at the Olympic Games, we wish you all the best. The nation is with you. When you are competing, remember every person who is a Samoan is with you. Their hopes and aspirations are with you. When you win you do not win alone and the same goes if you do not make it.

Wishing Team Samoa all the best.