1. What is the vision of the Pacific Games 2027 as you prepare to host one of the largest sporting events in the Pacific in French Polynesia?
For us, the Pacific Games are the largest sporting event in the region, but they are much more than sport. They are also a cultural celebration. The 24 nations coming together share deep historical and cultural ties, and this event is an opportunity to unite the peoples of the Pacific in a meaningful way.
This will be the third time we host the Games, following 1971 and 1995. But 2027 marks a new chapter. Thirty-two years later, the scale is far greater, and our ambition is stronger. Above all, these Games will be a celebration of culture, friendship, fair play, and the bonds that connect us across the Pacific.
We want every participant and visitor to feel at home. This is not just a competition, it is a shared human experience.
2. How significant is the scale of the Games compared to other international sporting events?
While not on the scale of the Olympic Games, the Pacific Games are still a major international event. We will welcome around 4,500 athletes, which is comparable to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
We will host 24 sports, around 350 events, and participants from 24 nations. In many ways, organizing these Games is like hosting 24 world championships at once. A number of events are also qualifiers for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
Over 14 days, we will also involve approximately 700 technical officials and 4,500 volunteers. In total, around 12,500 accredited people will be part of the event. It is a massive undertaking for our islands.
3. How do these Games fit into the broader global sporting calendar?
The Pacific Games sit within the rhythm of the Olympic cycle. They are held one year before the Olympics and include qualifying events for athletes aiming to compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
We see ourselves as part of a continuum, from Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to Los Angeles 2028 and beyond to Brisbane 2032. For many smaller Pacific nations, this is a critical pathway to the global stage.
4. What makes this edition of the Games unique in terms of organization and local impact?
One major difference is that we are bringing the Games closer to the people. Instead of concentrating events in a single urban area, we are spreading them across three islands, Tahiti, Moorea, and Raiatea, with 25 competition sites.
This allows the population to fully participate and ensures the Games are not just an international event, but also a local celebration.
We are also placing strong emphasis on inclusion. Accessibility for people with disabilities is being integrated into all renovated sites, and para-sports will be fully included in the program.
5. Sustainability appears to be a core pillar. How are you implementing it in practice?
Sustainability is central to everything we do. We are not just organizing an event, we are thinking about its legacy.
For example, we are eliminating single-use plastic bottles. Athletes, staff, and volunteers will use reusable water bottles, supported by drinking water stations across all venues. We are also promoting public transportation and carpooling, and even exploring cleaner energy solutions such as hydrogen-powered systems for temporary sites.
The textile industry is also one of the most polluting in the world. We have chosen to partner with NOLT, a textile manufacturer that produces 100% eco-friendly jerseys made from recycled plastic. This will enable us to kit out nearly 5,000 staff members, technical officials and volunteers.
We have also created a dedicated “Impact and Legacy” department, something new for the Pacific Games, to ensure that every decision contributes to long-term environmental and social benefits.
Our goal is to organize the most beautiful Games, not in a flashy way, but in terms of responsibility, innovation, and respect for the planet.
6. How will the Games contribute to economic and tourism development?
The economic impact begins immediately. The organizing committee alone will work with hundreds of service providers across multiple sectors.
But beyond that, the Games will attract athletes, families, and international visitors. Each visitor contributes to the local economy and helps showcase our islands to the world.
We also want to expand visibility beyond the Pacific. This is why partnerships with international media, such as the Los Angeles Times, are so important. These Games are not just regional; they are part of the global sporting ecosystem.
7. What opportunities will this event create for young Polynesian athletes?
The Games are both a high-performance competition and a catalyst for grassroots participation. They inspire young people to take up sport, while also offering elite athletes a pathway to international competition.
We are also investing in infrastructure and training programs, ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond 2027.
8. How do the Games strengthen regional cooperation across the Pacific?
The Pacific Games are deeply rooted in culture. They bring together Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian communities, celebrating both diversity and unity.
We are organizing cultural festivals, ceremonies, and exchanges throughout the Games. This is about sharing traditions, stories, and identities, not just competing in sport.
We often say: we are cousins across the Pacific. These Games reinforce that connection.
9. Finally, what message would you like to send to readers of the Los Angeles Times?
Tahiti and French Polynesia have always been dream destinations. But during the Pacific Games, they will offer something even more special.
This is a unique opportunity to experience the spirit of the Pacific, its cultures, its people, and its unity, just one year before the Los Angeles Olympics.
We invite all lovers of sport, nature, and human connection to join us. Come and be part of something truly exceptional.
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