Ele Opeloge

Opeloge was belatedly awarded the silver medal for her weightlifting event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics after the silver and bronze medallists were disqualified for drug cheating last year.

The government refused to financially reward her, saying they only did so to gold medal winners, despite the fact Samoa had never won an Olympic medal before.

The Samoa Observer newspaper organised a community fundraiser which raised over 15,000 US dollars for Opeloge and the editor Mata'afa Keni Lesa said even during the presentation this week, the government remained steadfast.

This week weightlifter Ele Opeloge was finally presented with her silver medal from the 2008 Beijing Games, which she won belatedly after the silver and bronze medalists from the event were disqualified for drug cheating.

Opeloge was also presented with a gift of over $US15,000 dollars raised from the community through the Samoa Observer newspaper, after the government stated they only give financial rewards to gold medal winners at international events.

Opeloge said it felt as if the government underestimates her achievement.

The weightlifter won Samoa's first Olympic medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, after being upgraded to silver last year when two competitors were disqualified for drugs.

The Samoa Government refused to offer Opeloge a financial reward for her historic achievement, saying they would only do so for gold medal winners.

But the Samoa Observer newspaper has raised thousands of Tala for the 31-year-old after launching their own fundraising campaign.

"I'm very happy to come back and celebrate a medal next week," said Opeloge.

This week Opeloge was awarded a silver medal after two medal winners were exposed as drug cheats.

"I am so happy and thankful to God and the people of Samoa, supporting me," said Opeloge.

1 News reports in 2008 Samoa expected her to bring home the country's first Olympic medal, so her fourth place in China was devastating.

The Ukranian silver and bronze medal athletes tested positive for banned substances, cheating Opeloge of her Olympic moment.

In Samoa Opeloge was presented with her Olympic silver medal on Thursday night.

Opeloge was upgraded from fourth to second place in the women's over 75kg division at the 2008 Beijing Games, after a reanalysis of samples found the silver and bronze medallists tested positive for banned substances.

Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has said the Government only offers monetary awards for gold medal winners.

But the Editor of the Samoa Observer, Mata'afa Keni Lesa, said there had been a massive outcry over the decision.

RNZ reports Opeloge initially finished fourth in the women's over 75kg division at the 2008 Beijing Games.

But in August, a re-analysis of samples from eight years ago found the silver medallist, Olha Korobka from Ukraine, and bronze medallist, Mariya Grabovetskaya from Kazakhstan, tested positive for banned substances.

Korobka's provisional suspension was confirmed by the International Olympic Committee last month, ensuring Opeloge a podium finish.

The International Olympic Committee has confirmed the silver medalist in Opeloge's divison at the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be stripped of her medal after failing a doping test.

The bronze medalist also faces being stripped for a similar offence.

Opeloge initially finished fourth in the class.

Samoan officials are hoping for official confirmation in the next few weeks and what medal Opeloge will be given.

Opeloge initially finished in fourth place in the women's over 75kg division at the 2008 Beijing Games.

But in August, a re-analysis of samples from eight years ago found the silver medallist, Olha Korobka from Ukraine, and bronze medallist, Mariya Grabovetskaya from Kazakhstan, tested positive for banned substances.

Korobka's provisional suspension has now been confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), ensuring Ele Opeloge a podium finish.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was shocked when he received news of this development during a media conference yesterday.

He says while the new placement should move Opeloge into second place, he leaves the final decision to the Olympic Committee.

“That’s their responsibility. What we should take as a lesson here is to be very careful with these substances, that’s the more important thing for our Olympic Committee and athletes to be aware of,” Tuilaepa said.