Olympic silver medalist

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 weightlifter Ele Opeloge originally placed fourth in the, 75kgs and above, women's super heavyweight division, in Beijing.

But a review of test samples in August found silver medallist, Olha Korobka from Ukraine, and bronze medallist, Mariya Grabovetskaya from Kazakhstan both tested positive for banned substances.

Tuaopepe Vui Asiata Jerry Wallwork, who also coached weightlifter Ele Opeloge at the Beijing Games in 2008, said while the silver medal was welcome he felt she has had her glory stolen from her.