{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.014683153013910355, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0030911901081916537, 'mean_word_length': 5.225961538461538, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Athletics on the Pacific Islands – A Historical Approach

Abstract The sport of athletics is popular in Oceanian territories outside Australia and New Zealand, on the so-called Pacific Islands. However, little research has been done to trace the historical development of the sport in this region despite the fact that many of the region’s national athletics federations have been members of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) since the 1960s. This paper aims to address this research gap by analyzing the historical development of athletics on the Pacific Islands. We identify key structures and processes that have shaped athletics and its governance until the present day. Primary sources from the Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) and Pacific Games Council archives as well as the offices of several member federations from the Pacific Islands are utilized. We argue that the unique environment in which the sport of athletics is practiced in the island states of Oceania has a history deeply rooted in the times of colonization. The athletics development on the Pacific Islands represents the implementation of agendas and programmes of foreign powers such as former colonial powers, the IAAF, the OAA and individuals with long-lasting experience in athletics.