The only flag bearer for Samoa in the track and field events, Alex Rose, has arrived in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics and to hold the Samoan flag high and proud at last night's opening ceremony.

Discus thrower  Rose says he is overjoyed about the prospect of representing Samoa as an Olympian. 

"When I qualified for the Olympics in 2019 I was incredibly happy. At the time a 66 metre throw was a big PR and national record for me! I was so happy to have the chance to once again compete against the best in the world and aim for an Olympic final," he said.

"I love the solitary nature of athletics and the discus throw. It is an awful lot of work with training, and the tape measure will never lie to you. It's just you and the circle, no teammates or excuses. The better throw always wins."

Rose has set his eyes on the prize and he hopes to win a medal for Samoa and himself. He is set to compete on 30 and 31 July.

"The hardest thing to do in order to qualify for the Olympics is hit the Olympic standard distance. In this case, it was 66 metres," he said."

"Only fifteen or so athletes on the planet throw this distance every year, so hitting the standard outright, and qualifying by merit meant a lot to me.

"I have two goals for this Olympics. First I want to become the first Samoan athlete competing in an Olympic final in Track and Field. Second, I want to compete for a medal.

The discus thrower is sponsored by the Earth Fed Muscle Protein company.

Apart from Rose, other Samoan athletes competing this week include Marion Faustino Ah Tong's whose first bout will be in Kokugikan Arena on 24 of July against Stephen Zimba of Zambia. Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali will have his first bout on the 27th of July 2021.

Paddler Anne Cairns will enter her 200 metre single women's kayak competition, has been confirmed yet when her race is actually on. Ben Percival is set to clash with Frank Ned de Wit in Judo for the first time.