OLYMPICS / Barcelona 1992 - Round-Up: Competing is the thing

THEY came 12,000 miles, but alas the Cook Islands' two-man team did not cover themselves with glory.

Weightlifter Sam Pera failed to complete a lift in the light-heavyweight category. Sprinter Mark Sherwin at least completed the course in the 100 metres heats - but in the third slowest time of all 78 first-round finishers.

This is better than Laos has done so far. Two of their five- man team have competed. Saleumphone Sopraseut was disqualified from the 20- kilometre walk and Sitthixay Sacpraseuth was the only man to clock more than 12 seconds for the 100m.