Team Palau to the Tokyo Olympics returned home yesterday after giving their best during a brief debut at the Tokyo Olympics.
The three Olympians representing Palau in swimming and athletics sports performed in their respective sports on July 30 and 31st and left on the 1st of August to return home.
All three athletes performed their personal best, competing against much larger nations. The competitions were broadcasted live and many Palauans at home were able to cheer them on from home.
According to parent of one of the athletes, due to flight schedules, athletes had to catch the earliest flight back or they would have been stuck in Japan for another week. Due to tight restrictions in and around Japan due to COVID, staying back was not an option for the athletes.
The three athletes Osisang Dibech Chilton, Shawn Dingelius and Adrian Justin Ililau were accompanied by their coaches, Billy Brown and Peoria Koshiba, Chef De Mission Marcy Tellei, PNOC President Frank Kyota, PNOC Secretary Baklai Temengil-Chilton and PNOC Liaison Stephanie Ngirchoimei. (By: L.N. Reklai)