05/06/2026
COPIED
The Olympian who ran by faith.
When I was in kindergarten, I was always running everywhere. I simply loved to run! Perhaps I inherited that passion from my late father who was a rugby player and played wing reaching the district level. Maybe that speed came through his genetics. Through all my school years, athletics became part of who I was. I loved that it was not a team sport, it was only me, the track, and the challenge to become better than yesterday.
My father always reminded me of three things: Train hard and always give your best. Pursue your education and work hard, because sports does not last forever. And above all, keep your faith in Jesus Christ. He told me that after sports, education will carry me far, and after education and life, faith will carry me to eternity.
I was raised with values, discipline, and faith. Those principles became my foundation. Whenever life became difficult, I always returned to those values and my belief in God. I believe in a higher power. When human strength and understanding reached their limits, that is where faith begins. My faith in Christ has carried me beyond what I thought was impossible. Sometimes people call it luck or miracles but for me, it was God's work.
One of the greatest honors of my journey was qualifying for the two Olympic Games. I became the first female track and field athlete from Fiji and the Pacific to qualify for the Olympics. Looking back, I realized none of it happened alone. My parents, family, managers coaches, training partners all played important roles.
Attending the Olympic Games required trusting in God's plan even when I could not see the full picture. To reach the elite level, I had to seek stronger competition including training with my rivals in the Pacific. That season changed me. I became more serious with my spiritual life. I realised if I wanted different results, I had to do something different.
I leaned into faith. I prayed and said " Lord if You bless me with this victory, I will use my talents to serve others. " That happened during the Pacific Games. The 100 and 200 meters were expected to be dominated by my rivals and many people did not believe I could win it. But by God' grace I wont both events and set records.
That moment changed my life. When I retired, I continued serving through coaching and my career as a science and biology teacher. Seeing my former students become successful in life reminds me that success is not only measured by medals, but also by the lives we help shape. If I could turn back time, I probably would have retired later. My last competition was in 2009 and I wonder what another four years could have looked like.
Pacific excellence, means carrying our voices onto the world stage and representing all Pacific women and young people who have talent but may not always have the opportunity. I trained with limited resources, but I learned that greatness is not determined by what you have, it is determined by what you do with what you have.
Never underestimated yourself. Believe in your abilities, trust God and commit fully. And remember with God by your side, nothing is impossible!
Vinaka Vakalevu.
Makelesi Bulikiobo
Olympian, Fiji.
