2023 Pacific Games

The 2023 Pacific Games, officially known as the XVII Pacific Games, was a continental multi-sport event for Oceania countries and territories held in Honiara, Solomon Islands between 19 November and 2 December 2023. This was the first time that the Solomon Islands have hosted the Pacific Games.

The Games were originally scheduled for 16–29 July 2023. However, in July 2021, the Games organizers requested a date change due to delays in preparation for the games caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Solomon Islands.

New Caledonia topped the medal table by both total golds (82) and total medals (197), with Tahiti finishing second by both respects (57 and 160). Australia finished third, setting a record for the most gold medals and total medals ever won by their delegation at a Pacific Games with 50 and 84. Samoa finished fourth, with a total of 34 gold and 76 medals. Papua New Guinea rounded off the top five list with 29 gold medals and third in the overall medal count, with 105 medals. Host nation Solomon Islands won twelve gold medals and 78 medals, its best result at any Pacific Games, finishing in seventh place. Marshall Islands won their first ever Pacific Games gold medals, a record five all from weightlifting.

Host selection

Two countries expressed interest and launched bids for the 17th games. Tahiti, French Polynesia, which hosted the event in 1971 and 1995, was the first to express their intentions in hosting the 2023 Games during the Pacific Games Council (PGC) General Assembly in Port Moresby in July 2015. The other bidder, the Solomon Islands, in 2016 expressed interest with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare launching the country's bid for a potential first time host of the quadrennial event. On 11 May 2016, during the PGC General Assembly in Port Vila, with the decision taken by the 22 members of the PGC awarded the hosting rights to the Solomon Islands. The margin of victory was reportedly a single vote.

Development and preparation

The 'Pacific Games 2023 Act 2017' created the National Hosting Authority (NHA) as the 2023 Pacific Games Hosting Authority to manage the duties of the committees created by the Act, including the Games Organizing Committee, Games Facilities Committee, and NHA Secretariat. The NHA's responsibility is to oversee the 2023 Pacific Games overall by making sure the Solomon Islands Pacific Games Association and the Government fulfill their obligations under the host contract and by managing the Games' financial planning and budgeting. This strives to ensure vital connection between public services, venues, and building. Additionally, NHA makes sure that the provisions of the Pacific Games 2023 Act (2017) are followed and upheld.

Security

Military and police personal from Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand will be assisting the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force throughout the games.

Venues

The games will take place in 11 venues spread across the host city of Honiara. The 2023 Pacific Games' sport venues are conveniently close to one another and can be reached in 5 to 30 minutes. The following venues have been confirmed:

• Aquatic Center (new) – Swimming
• DC Park (existing) – Archery, Sailing, Open water swimming, Touch rugby, Va’a/Outrigger canoeing
• Friendship Hall (new) – Basketball, Boxing, Netball, Volleyball
• HCC Sports Precinct (existing) – Table tennis
• Honiara Golf Club (existing) – Golf
• King George Hockey Turf (renovated) – Field hockey
• Lawson Tama Stadium (existing) – Football
• Maranatha Hall (existing) – Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, Weightlifting
• National Stadium (Solomon Islands)/Main Stadium (new) – Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony, Athletics, Football, Rugby league 9s, Rugby 7s
• National Tennis Center (renovated) – Tennis
• SIFF Academy (existing) – 3x3 Basketball, Beach volleyball, Karate, Judo
  • SIFF Academy (Field 1 & 2) – Football

Participating nations

24 countries and territories participated: the 22 Pacific Games Associations (PGA), and two Associate members - New Zealand, and Australia.

Sports

As amended in the Pacific Games charter on 14 July 2019, in Apia, Samoa, the programme of the Pacific Games shall consist of 17 mandatory sports and 7 optionals who have to reflect the local interests. The following sports are scheduled for the games:

Calendar

The 2023 schedule by session was released by the Games Organizing Committee on 19 June 2023.

Daily medal events for all sports are yet to be confirmed.

All dates are Solomon Islands Time (GMT+11)

Medal table

  *   Host nation (Solomon Islands)

Ceremonies

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 2023 Pacific Games took place on Sunday, 19 November 2023, at the Solomon Islands National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony was held on 2 December 2023, in Solomon Islands National Stadium.

See also

• 2022 Asian Games

References