The total number of athletes to compete in this year’s Coca-Cola Games has gone down by 200 due to the floods in the Western Division.

However, organizers are optimistic this year’s games will be the best ever.

There is also word that for the first time, the winning schools and the best athletes may walk away with cash prizes depending on the gate takings.

Chief organizer Vuli Waqa said some major changes have been made to the program which will see the Day One competition stretching to 8.30pm.