Fiji Athletics will have a new coach going into next year.

The 2011 team Fiji Athletics performance was below the standard that many followers have expected from them.

They returned from the Pacific Games with only four gold medals with Banuve Tabakaucoro winning three gold - one from the Blue Ribbon event, 200 meters and anchoring the 4 by 100 meters relay.

Lesley Copeland added another gold to the medal list but his after the game attitude where he was under the influence of alcohol resulted in his suspension.

In the past, the Athletics competition used to be Fiji's gold mine during the Pacific Games but this time round it was one of their worst ever outing.

For the first time our Women returned home without a gold medal although the likes of Ana Kaloucava, Sisilia Seavula, Paulini Korowaqa and the veteran, Litiana Miller were in the team.

Returning home, FASANOC found head coach, Bola Tafou guilty of consuming alcohol in New Caledonia and was handed a 4 year suspension from coaching the Athletics team in the future.

Also facing the music was 400 meter champion, Niko Verekauta who was also found guilty to be under the influence of alcohol.

Here at home, in the Coca Cola Games, defending champion, Suva Grammar for the boys and Adi Cakobau School for the girls retained their title.

It was SGS 5th in a row win under the guidance of Jone Delai and ACS 11th year win was decided in the 4 by 100 meters relay in the senior grades where they had to look at the photo finish to confirm the winner.

The highlight of the Coke Games this year was in the senior boys when the new 100 meter holder, Banuve Tabakaucoro recorded a new time of 10.43 seconds to break Viliame Nasuku of 10.73 set way back in 1993.   

In the FMF Chow Games, Suva retained their title for the 6th year while Nadroga/Navosa came in second.

Story by: Danjay Deo