Olympian boxer Tupuola Seua'i Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali leaves for Paris in a week's time and says he has not lost sight of the prize, a gold medal.

His preparation was boosted last week with telecommunications company Digicel giving $5,000 to Ato.

"Like every major game, in the fight for Samoa, I always aim to podium and win Gold," he said.

In an interview with the newspaper, Ato confirms his preparations are going great with just a few challenges to surpass but he is well prepared for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

"Preparation is going according to plan, fitness is at peak level and I am physically stronger than before. Challenges would have to be the weight cut, lack of funds to attend international competitions leading up to the games and training camps with other elite boxers," he said.

The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee has also assisted Ato through the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program funds aided some expenses, along with the help received from his sponsors. He is grateful for all the help he has received from Samoa and all over the world.

"Thank you Samoa, my family, and to all my supporters for helping me get this far. And a massive faafetai tele lava to my main sponsors for helping me. To JM Structures Aust, Frank Lu from Sheraton Samoa, Jay Krishna from Tanoa Hotels, St Joseph's Marist Club Samoa, Apia Concrete Products, Digicel Samoa, iBox2 NZ, 4 Seasons Tree Care, Bladen Baird Personal Training, High-Performance Dietitian, Josh Adam from Envy Sports, Yammy Boxing, Digicel and Musashi. Thank you all for your help and generosity," added Ato.

Ato has been fighting from a very young age and has represented Samoa in the Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games, and the 2020 Summer Olympics. He is from the villages of Sa'aga Siumu and Tuana'i where his two matai titles come from.

Boxing starts at the Olympic Games on 28 July however, Ato is yet to find out when his first fight will be and who his opponent is.