2024 Micronesian Games Explained

X Micronesian Games
Size:	280 px
Host City:	Majuro
Country:
Nations:	10
Events:	14 sports
Previous:	2018 Yap
Website:	Official website Results website

The 10th Micronesian Games were held in Majuro, Marshall Islands. After initially being scheduled for July 25 to August 5, 2022, the competition was originally delayed a year because of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including finishing construction of the New Marshall Islands Stadium.^{[1] [2]} The games were held June 15-24, 2024.^[3]

History

This will be the first time that the Marshall Islands will host the tournament, having been announced as host in July 2018. The Marshall Islands received unanimous support after the Northern Mariana Islands withdrew their bid to host.^[4]

The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation had indicated that the nation may field its first-ever national soccer team at the games.^[5] However, in March 2023 MISF President Shev Livai stated that football would not be part of the tournament. The federation investigated the possibility of adding football to the schedule but hotels on the islands were already fully booked.^[6]

In March 2023 it was announced that the tournament would again be delayed for an indefinite amount of time. The delay was necessary because of the construction progress of the stadium and sports arena. Progress was slowed by supply chain and worker shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Asia Pacific Airlines, the sole cargo carrier for the Marshall Islands, being grounded by the US Federal Aviation Administration since 1 February 2023.^[7] A Radio New Zealand contributor indicated that the tournament may now be held in April 2024.^[8] In May 2023 it was announced that the tournament dates had been officially set for 15-24 June 2024.^[9]

Sports

Athletes will compete in 14 different sports at the games:

1. athletics
2. basketball
3. 3x3 basketball
4. beach volleyball
5. fast-pitch softball
6. lawn tennis
7. the "Micronesian all-around"
8. spearfishing
9. swimming/open-water swimming
10. table tennis
11. va'a
12. indoor volleyball
13. weightlifting
14. wrestling

Source:^[10]

Results

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) topped the medal tally with 70 golds, followed by Nauru on 68. Host nation the Marshall Islands won gold in the women's volleyball and finished with the highest number of overall medals, with 47 golds and 134 medals overall.^{[11] [12]}

Indoor Volleyball

Men's

Volleyball – Men's Games Reports

Gold medal match

Notes and References

1. Web site: Johnson . Giff . Micronesian Games pushed back a year . Radio New Zealand . 16 August 2022.
2. Web site: Rabago . Mark . NMITA: Happy for Micro Games postponement . Saipan Tribune . 16 August 2022.
3. Web site: Micronesian Games now set for June 2024 . Island Times . 20 September 2023.
4. Web site: Sport: Marshall Islands to host 2022 Micronesian Games . Radio New Zealand . 16 August 2022.
5. Web site: Ewart . Richard . Small beginnings as Marshall Islands sets out to join the world soccer family . ABC . 6 January 2023.
6. Web site: Hamilton . Tom . The Marshall Islands are trying to build a soccer team, but their dreams extend far beyond sport . ESPN . 10 April 2023.
7. Web site: Micro Games put off to 2024 . The Marshall Islands Journal . 14 April 2023.
8. Web site: Micronesian Games delayed due to issues with facilities . Islands Business . 14 April 2023.
9. Web site: Micronesian Games now set for June 2024 . Island Times Palau . 21 February 2024.
10. Web site: Facilities Update . Majol 2023 . 20 September 2023.
11. Web site: Marshall Islands wins gold in women's volleyball final at the Micronesian Games. 23 June 2024. abc.net.au. 29 June 2024.
12. Web site: Micronesian Games: Historic CNMI stint in Majuro. 25 June 2024. rnz.co.nz. 29 June 2024.