Funding continues for PacificAus Sports initiative

A program which helped 82 athletes from Pacific island nations compete at the Tokyo Olympics has been hailed a success by the Australian Olympic Committee.

Papua New Guinea's Rellie Kaputin competes in the women's triple jump final during the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Source: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Long jumper Rellie Kaputin is now a hero in Papua New Guinea after exceeding expectations in Tokyo.

Kaputin entered the long jump event as the lowest ranked competitor in the 30 strong field. The 28-year-old recorded a jump of 6.40 metres to finish 19th.

Kaputin spent 17 months in Australia preparing for the Tokyo Olympics as part of a special program between the Australian Olympic Committee and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via the Federal Government's PacificAus Sports initiative.