The Micronesian Games (or Micro Games, MicroGames) are a quadrennial international multi-sport event within the Micronesian region. The Games were first held in 1969 in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands). The 2010 Micronesian Games were initially due to be held in Majuro (Marshall Islands), until the hosts withdrew. The 2010 Games were hosted by Palau.[1] The Federated States of Micronesia won the bidding to host the 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei State, and later won again against CNMI for the 2018 Micronesian Games, held in Yap State.[2][3][4]

History

After the inaugural 1969 edition, the Games were supposed to be a regular event. However, the second edition did not take place until 1990. Since then, the Games have been held every four years without fail.

However, after the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap State, the Republic of the Marshall Islands was set to host the 10th edition of the Micronesian Games in Majuro; but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Majuro MicroGames was pushed back to 2023. Following a May 23 virtual meeting of the Micronesian Games Council, the 10th MicroGames is now set for June 15-24, 2024 in Majuro.[5]

All-time medal table

RankAssociationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Guam275178139592
2 Palau265257208730
3 Northern Mariana Islands186197150533
4 Marshall Islands128103131362
5 Pohnpei105147147399
6 Yap536969191
7 Nauru52182090
8 Chuuk384572155
9 Kosrae19195593
10Ponape/Kusaie (defunct)17161043
11 Kiribati2191536
Totals (11 entries)1140106810163224
Source: As of March 19, 2023.[6]

Editions

Overview of the Micronesian Games
Edition Year Host Start End Sports Events Nations Top association Ref
I 1969 Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Saipan, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands July 4 July 12 6  Palau
II 1990 Northern Mariana Islands Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands July 7 July 15 7  Guam
III 1994 Guam Hagåtña, Guam March 26 April 2 9  Guam [7]
IV 1998 Palau Koror, Palau August 1 August 9 9  Nauru
V 2002 Pohnpei State Palikir, Pohnpei July 21 July 30 9  Northern Mariana Islands
VI 2006 Northern Mariana Islands Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands June 23 July 4 9  Guam
VII 2010 Palau Koror, Palau August 1 August 10 8  Palau
VIII 2014 Pohnpei State Pohnpei, Pohnpei July 20 July 29 9  Guam [8]
IX 2018 Yap State Yap, Yap July 15 July 27 10  Palau [9]
X 2024 Marshall Islands Majuro, Marshall Islands Future event [10]
XI 2026 Nauru Nauru Future event [11]

Competitors

Participants include four sovereign countries (the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and Palau), a commonwealth in political union with the United States (the Northern Mariana Islands), an organized unincorporated territory of the United States (Guam), and the four constituent States of the Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap, which compete separately from one another).

These ten countries, States and territories are all located within the Micronesian region of Oceania.

All participants also take part in the Pacific Games, although the Federated States of Micronesia competes as a unified country there.

Events

Athletes compete in the fields of athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, coconut tree climbing, coconut husking, fast pitch softball, association football, golf, slow pitch softball, spearfishing, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, va'a canoe, volleyball and wrestling, as well as the "micro all around".

The Micronesian Games thus combine events that may be found in other international competitions with events more specific to Micronesian countries. Coconut tree climbing and coconut husking appear to have been demonstration events at the 2006 Games: they are listed as events on the Games' official website, but are not listed on the results and medals' page.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Carreon, Bernadette H. (May 20, 2008). "Palau to host Micro Games in 2010". Marianas Variety. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  2. ↑ Monroyo, Roselyn (July 28, 2014). "Micro Games heading to Yap". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ Jaynes, Bill (July 31, 2014). "8th Micro Games now in the history books". Kaselehlie Press. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ Aisek, Otis (July 27, 2014). "Yap Wins Bid to Host the 2018 Micronesian Games". The Fourth Branch. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ "New dates for stalled Micronesian Games announced". Radio New Zealand.
  6. ↑ Micronesian Gams Council. "Past Games Results". Micronesian Games Council. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ Branigin, William (April 4, 1994). "Foreign Journal". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ Monroyo, Roselyn (June 24, 2013). "Micro Games first payment due next month". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Micro Games 2018 - More Than Just Games". Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Sport: Marshall Islands to host 2022 Micronesian Games". Radio New Zealand. July 31, 2018. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Sport: Nauru will host Micronesian Games for first time". Radio New Zealand. July 28, 2022. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
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