As the sole representative of his nation at the Paris Olympics, Winzar Kakiouea bears not only the hopes of his country but also the weight of its obscurity. Many people around the world are unaware that his homeland exists. Moreover, there is a looming threat that this nation could one day vanish beneath the waves.
To provide some context, Nauru is a small island nation located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, with a population of less than 13,000. Once fondly referred to as Pleasant Island, Nauru (pronounced NO-roo, not Nah-oo-roo) achieved independence in 1968 after a period of trusteeship overseen by the United Nations. For many years, the economy of Nauru relied heavily on guano, a natural fertilizer derived from bird excrement. Unfortunately, the extensive mining of this resource has caused significant damage to the island’s landscape, leading to erosion and sections of Nauru being lost to the sea. The impacts of climate change are also gradually encroaching upon its shores.
“Most people don’t know about Nauru,” Kakiouea shared. “When I inform them about it, they are often taken aback that such a tiny place is a recognized country.”
This Saturday, Kakiouea, now 23, is set to compete in the preliminary rounds of the men’s 100 meters. He is remarkably swift—boasting the title of the fastest man in the vast Pacific region known as Micronesia—but it is likely that his Olympic journey will conclude in under 11 seconds.
Nonetheless, Kakiouea’s participation in the Paris Games highlights one of the most endearing aspects of the Olympics. During the grand parade of nations, smaller countries are given equal prominence alongside their larger counterparts. Nations like China, Cape Verde, Canada, Curaçao, and the Cook Islands are all represented proudly in the lineup. Both American Samoa and the United States of America are celebrated in their own right.
During the opening ceremony, Kakiouea had the honor of carrying the Nauruan flag on his team’s boat, a moment that symbolizes pride and resilience for his nation.
