Official logo of the 2007 Games
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Host city | Apia, Upolu | ||
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Country | Samoa | ||
Motto | Live the dream! | ||
Nations participating | 22 | ||
Athletes participating | ~5,000 | ||
Events | 33 sports | ||
Opening ceremony | August 25, 2007 | ||
Closing ceremony | September 8, 2007 | ||
Officially opened by | Tufuga Efi | ||
Torch lighter | Ofisa Ofisa | ||
Main venue | Apia Park | ||
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The 2007 Pacific Games were held in Apia, Samoa, from 25 August to 8 September 2007. The Games were also known as the XIII South Pacific Games.
The Games were the thirteenth Pacific Games to be held since the event's inception in 1963 and included traditional multi-sport event disciplines, such as athletics and swimming, alongside region-specific and smaller events such as outrigger canoeing, surfing and lawn bowls. The principal venue for the Games was Apia Park, with other events taking place at the Faleata Sporting Complex and at other locations around Samoa.
In comparison to the Olympic Games, which are expected to generate income for the host nation, the 2007 Pacific Games are expected to leave Samoa US$92 million in debt, predominantly as a result of expenditure on large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges and roads.
The opening ceremony took place on 25 August 2007 at Apia Park Stadium and was performed in a traditional Samoan and Pacific style, welcoming some 5,000 athletes from 22 nations and territories to Samoa.
The ceremony was attended by Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa (who also competed in the Games - see below), and Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Head of State. Choreographed by Samoan contemporary dancer Alan Aiolupotea the ceremony featured dancing portraying the "mystical legends" from Samoa's island heritage (such as the stories of Sina and the Eel and Nafanua) with a five-year-old female fire dancer from Siumu Village performing a siva afi (or fire stick dance) accompanied by a Samoan song depicting the flow of lava following the 1905 eruptions near Savai'i being one of the showcase displays.