So many people stayed up to watch weightlifter Don Opeloge attempt to get a medal but that was not the case. Sadly, the young man did not make it. Yet we are proud.

A special congratulations to weightlifter Iuniarra Sipaia who finished eighth. It is a remarkable achievement on the world stage.

Coming from a tiny island nation, that is a dot on the world map and flying our flags high was glory enough for the people of this nation. Nations with populations in their millions need to be wary of the fight in our sportspeople.

Gaku Akazawa, the Samoan wrestler tried his best as well. He lost to the world champion. Discus thrower Alex Rose had given us some ray of hope when he made it to the finals but we are proud that he made it that far.

To those who say Samoa did not win a medal, they are wrong. Maddison-Lee Wesche may have been wearing Kiwi colours but her blood and culture were Samoan.

“I am proud to be a Samoan girl in New Zealand and my dad isn’t here with us anymore and to make his culture proud is something I am super happy about,” she said after winning a silver medal for the shot put.

At the Olympic Games in Paris, the 25 year old made a whopping 19.86m throw, recording a personal best and securing the silver medal behind Germany’s Yemisi Ogunyleye.

We are proud of the efforts of all our athletes who competed in the nine different sports. We are proud that our athletes worked hard to make it to the Olympic Games, 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 faced the world’s best. They were our best and the nation was behind them. It was 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 did. They 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 made it.

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.

However, there is a serious concern with one of the sports, rugby sevens. The players sacrificed and trained for the games but much more was expected from the team. We are aware of the financial situation of Lakapi Samoa but we have known for almost a year that we will play in the Olympic Games.

There should have been a wider search for players, especially from the rural areas where talent is abundant. It seems that just a few players were roped in without having any serious thought. None of the Manu Samoa XVs backline players or Moana Pasifika talents were touched. That could have been the difference in how we performed.

It is now up to Lakapi Samoa to shake a few things around and have a fresh start so the team can once again qualify and be a core team on the World Sevens circuit.

But overall, Samoa is proud that we have dedicated athletes who are willing to fly the national flag on the world stage. While the athletes have not won a medal, the government should reward them for being at the Olympic Games.

A small gesture could inspire the next lot of athletes to the Olympics Games.