Swimming at the 1963 South Pacific Games took place in Suva, the capital of Fiji. It was the first edition of the South Pacific Games and the race distances were in yards. There were fourteen events in total, eight for men and six for women. [1] Three territories shared the medals; hosts Fiji won the largest number, with Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia in second and third place respectively.
Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fiji | 13 | 5 | 6 | 24 |
2 | Papua and New Guinea | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
3 | New Caledonia | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Totals (3 entries) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 41 |
Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
110 yd freestyle | C. F. Bay (FIJ) | 1:02.2 | J. D. Griffiths (FIJ) | 1:03.8 | P. Kerrigan (FIJ) | 1:04.2 |
440 yd freestyle | C. F. Bay (FIJ) | 5:23.4 | J. D. Griffiths (FIJ) | 5:25.3 | J. Y. Mamelin (NCL) | 5:37 |
1650 yd freestyle | C. F. Bay (FIJ) | 21:36.4 | J. Y. Mamelin (NCL) | 22:38.6 | F. Caillard (NCL) | 22:57.4 |
110 yd backstroke | C. M. Raddock (FIJ) | 1:15.8 | P. Postel (NCL) | 1:18.8 | M. Sau (FIJ) | 1:20.3 |
220 yd breaststroke | S. Koroi (FIJ) | 3:13.4 | P. Kangon (P-NG) | 3:18.8 | D. Douceur (NCL) | 3:27.5 |
110 yd butterfly | T. Jovel (P-NG) | 1:16.4 | K. Jarope (P-NG) | 1:26.9 | P. Postel (NCL) | 1:29 |
4 × 110 yd freestyle relay | Fiji | 4:21.6 | New Caledonia | 4:31.4 | Papua and New Guinea | 4:34.4 |
4 × 110 yd medley relay | Fiji | 5:16.2 | Papua and New Guinea | 5:19.7 | New Caledonia | 5:28.7 |
Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
110 yd freestyle | A. Ramedi (FIJ) | 1:27.6 | S. Matthews (FIJ) | 1:16 | C. S. Anfinson (FIJ) | 1:16.8 |
440 yd freestyle | J. E. Herrington (FIJ) | 6:01 | S. Matthews (P-NG) | 6:05.3 | C. S. Anfinson (FIJ) | 6:16.6 |
110 yd backstroke | W. Adi (FIJ) | 1:27.6 | J. Finn (P-NG) | 1:31.5 | J. M. Blyth (FIJ) | 1:31.9 |
110 yd breaststroke | M. L. Smith (FIJ) | 1:39.6 | W. Ralvuni (FIJ) | 1:40.7 | J. E. Herrington (FIJ) | 1:41.2 |
220 yd breaststroke | J. E. Herrington (FIJ) | 3:33.8 | M. L. Smith (FIJ) | 3:37.3 | P. Mae (P-NG) | 3:45.0 |
4 × 110 yd freestyle relay | Fiji | 5:17.4 | Papua and New Guinea | 5:20.3 | n/a | – |
3 × 110 yd medley relay – bk/br/fs (No medals awarded) | Fiji | 4:20.7 | Papua and New Guinea | 4:37 | n/a | – |
Suva is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Division.
The Fiji men's national football team is Fiji's national men's team and is controlled by the governing body of football in Fiji, the Fiji Football Association. The team plays most of their home games at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The Papua New Guinea national soccer team is the men's national soccer team of Papua New Guinea and is controlled by the Papua New Guinea Football Association. Its nickname is the Kapuls, which is Tok Pisin for Cuscus.
The New Caledonia men's national football team is the national team of New Caledonia and is controlled by the Fédération Calédonienne de Football. Although they were only admitted to FIFA in 2004, they have been participating in the OFC Nations Cup since its inception. They have been one of this relatively small region's strongest teams, finishing second in 2008 and 2012, and third in 1973 and 1980. They were the top ranked OFC nation at number 95 in September 2008, making them only the fourth country from the confederation to have reached the global top 100.
The Pacific Games, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from Oceania. The inaugural Games took place in 1963 in Suva, Fiji, and most recently in 2023 in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The Games were called the South Pacific Games from 1963 to 2007. The Pacific Games Council (PGC) organises the Games and oversees the host city's preparations. Athletes with a disability are included as full members of their national teams. In each sporting event, gold medals are awarded for first place, silver medals are awarded for second place, and bronze medals are awarded for third place.
The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) was founded on 25 March 1949 and achieved International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition on 20 September 1955. It is responsible for entering Fiji's representatives in the Olympic Games and the coordination and management of Fiji Teams to the South Pacific Mini Games, South Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Games. It also provides technical assistance and funding to its affiliates in the areas of coaching, athlete development, sports medicine and sports administration.
Association football has been regularly included in the Pacific Games, the multi-sports event for Pacific nations, territories and dependencies, since 1963. Until 2011 the competition was known as the South Pacific Games.
The 2003 South Pacific Games were held in Suva, Fiji from 28 June to 12 July 2003. They are also known as the XII South Pacific Games.
The Fiji National Netball Team better known at the Fiji Pearls represents Fiji in international netball competition. Fiji have competed at nine World Netball Championships, finishing sixth in their best placing at the 1999 tournament. They have also competed at two Commonwealth Games, and won the netball event at the South Pacific Games for a number of years. They have won gold at every games since 1991. They are also the current Pacific Champions, winning the all Pacific Series since its inception.
Sport in Oceania varies from country to country. The most popular playing sport for men in Australia is Australian rules football, while for women is netball. Australian rules football is the most popular sport in terms of spectatorship and television ratings. Rugby union is the most popular sport among New Zealanders, while in Papua New Guinea rugby league is the most popular. While, Cricket is the most popular overall sport in Oceania.
Athletics competitions have been held at every Pacific Games since the inaugural edition 1963 in Suva, Fiji and at every Pacific Mini Games since the inaugural edition 1981 in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Both events are open for the 22 member federations of the Pacific Games Council. The Pacific Games started as South Pacific Games and were renamed in 2011, whereas the Pacific Mini Games started as South Pacific Mini Games and were renamed in 2009.
Athletics competitions at the 1963 South Pacific Games were held at the Buckhurst Park in Suva, Fiji, between 30 August and 2 September 1963.
The 1963 South Pacific Games, held from 29 August to 9 September 1963 at Suva in Fiji, was the first edition of the South Pacific Games. The multisport games were established to engender bonds of friendship amongst peoples in the Pacific, after an idea originated by Dr A.H. Sahu Khan was adopted by the South Pacific Commission. At a meeting of nine Territories, held in Nouméa during March 1961, Fiji was awarded the honour of hosting the first Games.
Rugby union at the 1963 South Pacific Games was played as a double round-robin with 3 men's teams competing. No finals were played and a complete set of gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the teams as per their finishing positions. Fiji was unbeaten in the tournament and were presented with their gold medals by the Governor of Fiji.
Boxing at the Pacific Games has been contested since 1963 when it was included as one of ten sports at the First South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji. There are presently ten weight classes for the men's competition at the Pacific Games, known as the South Pacific Games prior to 2011, in accordance with the (amateur) International Boxing Association (AIBA) classifications.
The 1966 South Pacific Games, held at Nouméa in New Caledonia from 8–18 December 1966, was the second edition of the South Pacific Games.
Netball at the Pacific Games has been an optional Pacific Games sport since 1963. Fiji have been the tournament's most successful team, winning seven gold medals. Cook Islands have won four gold medals. To date, only the Cook Islands and Fiji have won netball gold at the Pacific Games.
Volleyball at the Pacific Games has been played since 1963.
Tennis at the Pacific Games has been contested since 1963 when it was included as one of ten sports at the First South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji.
Swimming competitions have been held at the Pacific Games since the inaugural edition in 1963 at every Games except for 1983. Swimming has also been held once at the South Pacific Mini Games, in 2005.