Vekaiyu at the Eighth Summer Olympics

Vekaiyu at the Eighth Summer Olympics
Flag of Vekaiyu County code VEK NOC Vekaiyun Olympic Council
Competitors	512 athletes in all sports
Flag bearer	Vinsent Ivere (Swimming)
Medals Rank: 4th;	Gold 20	Silver 18	Bronze 18	Total 56
NS Olympic history
Summer Games
V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII
Winter Games
VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII

A team of 512 vulpine peoples representing Vekaiyu competed at the 8th Summer Olympics in Liventia. These Olympics represent Vekaiyu's seventh appearance in an inter-regional Olympiad, and fourth appearance at a Summer Olympics. Vekaiyu solidified their place as a dominant nation with their 4th-place finish. In addition, Vekaiyu lead the way in swimming, diving, and gymnastics - three concentrations which Vekaiyu has historically done well in. In addition, Vekaiyu took home its first medal in rowing, a gold. Their success is thought to be due in part to new uniforms, a re-shuffle of the Vekaiyun roster, better training, and overall veteran presence.

Initial Predictions

Two years ago, Vekaiyu was dubbed as an unexpected competitor, surprising many analysts and nations with their strong eighth place showing. Their gymnastics team was tops in the world, knowing no superior, and many programs like boxing and diving were shown to be quite formidable when pitted against top competition. Fast forward to one year later, and Vekaiyu proved it would not buckle under the intense pressure to repeat. It actually did better - a fifth place showing - and it did it with a balanced attack with swimming at the forefront. Indeed, Vekaiyuns love their aquatics, and last year was no anomaly. In fact, it finished second overall in swimming events - second only to the host nation, a feat they have achieved twice (they finished second in all swimming events in the Fifth Summer Olympics to rival and host nation Kelssek).

Each year, Vekaiyu has entered with uncertainties. Last year questions were raised when their swimming program managed just five medals in the year before. Critics were quickly silenced when Vekaiyun swimmers took home eleven medals - nearly doubling their performance from last year. The prior year, questions were raised as to whether or not the nation could improve on their eighteenth place finish in their inaugural year. This year, two big issues seem to be surrounding the camp in the early-goings: will Vekaiyu continue their dominance in swimming, and will Vekaiyu return to form in gymnastics?

"Absolutely," Vinsent Ivere, a Vekaiyun swimmer who for the second year in a row is the flagbearer for the mostly vulpine nation. "We're not nervous like last year. We're ready to go. I mean really ready. You can feel it when we all practice. We're all ready for this."

"We spent the offseason really getting to know each other," young swimming phenom Ikrisia Sulivire informed newscasters in an interview conducted on-site at Orean. "We scaled a mountain together in the Ta'laveros. We scuba dived in the Gulf of Itur. We even visited nearby Listonia on a trip, just to take a break from all the training." She smiled. "I really like that place. It's kind of nice to walk down a street and have no one recognize you. Not that I'm not grateful for being supported by so many people. It's just, I don't know, a unique experience. Really helps to disconnect now and then and take a small break."

The reason for the sudden comradely? "One day I decided to trade phone numbers with some of the guys," Riyna McAves, who won her second gold in a row at Krytenia last year, admitted. "It set off a chain reaction. We just normally keep to ourselves when it comes to training and practicing. It's probably because we're competitive with one another since Vekaiyun sports are like that. But when we realized we were competing on the same team, it made things a little different. It sounds simple, right? Well you can easily get wrapped up in all that competition."

Vekaiyun swimmers should continue their dominance in the pool this year. Last year, the nation won six golds, two silvers, and three bronze. Three of the six golds were Olympic records (as determined by the Council of Olympic Records, an off-shoot of the Vekaiyun Olympic Council created last year to organize and compile the voluminous amounts of data and update all Olympic records). One such record breaker was Iseli Viviersi, whose time in the Women's 100m Butterfly is unrivaled. "I can safely say I've beat that time in practice a few times. 56 seconds and 58 microseconds. It's etched into my brain! I just hope I'm able to beat it abroad. It's a different story when you're in a foreign land and you have so many distractions."

Not all swimmers have enjoyed success, however. Sophomores Ilo Yeskuviye and Ankya Isassi were unable to collect medals on their first run in Krytenia. "Can't win them all," was all Ilo could muster when V3 News Services caught up with him. Ilo, who is known to be an eccentric hothead in competition at home, looks to translate that enthusiasm into wins on the international stage this year. Hopefully this will not include damaging lockers, like when he finished last in the Men's 200m Individual Medley finals last year. The VOC would not pay for said damages and instead forced the young athlete to pay for damages out of his own pocket.

"I'm not really worried," Ankya Isassi said. "[Ikrisia Sulevire] had a difficult first year, but now she's calmed down and does her job. I'm not worried."

Yva Noveli, seen as more or less the 'leader' among the women's swimming program for Olympic athletes in Vekaiyu, gave a confident smile when asked what she thought Vekaiyu would do in Oreans. "We're not here to mess around. We're not letting the press get to us, or the distractions keep us from our goal. We're not even concerned about all the English-speaking around here. It's routine for all of us. Second verse, same as the first. But we're ready. If there's one thing I can say, it's that we're ready. No one's willing to let the hours upon hours of training go to waste."

Ehjy Ecaste, another Vekaiyun swimmer, laughed. "We've probably spent more time in our swimsuits than our street clothes or pajamas. And we're okay with that. Those are our business suits anyway, because you know, we mean business."

The ability is there - the finest crop of swimmers Vekaiyu has to offer will grace the pool once again this year in Orean. But will their talent translate to the calm waters of Grovers Park? V3 will dedicate themselves to find that out.

Uniforms

(Main Article: Vekaiyun Sport Uniforms) Vekaiyu prides itself in its technological and sometimes bizarre uniforms. Prior to the Eighth Summer Olympics, Vekaiyun designers, biologists, and engineers re-designed many of the Vekaiyun uniforms for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, functionality, design appeal, texture, freedom of movement, comfort, and style. The drastic change in wardrobe is thought to be a catalyst to Vekaiyu's success in the Eighth Summer Olympics. Due the the unusual and often smaller structures of the vulpine people, as well as their religious practices, their uniforms are slightly different than normal human-based nations.

Medalists

Medal	Name(s)	Sport	Event
	Dazso Nobarostre	Cycling	Men's Road Race
	Viktor Disnistre	Swimming	Men’s 400m Individual Medley
	Riyna McAves	Swimming	Women’s 400m Individual Medley
	Sayli Aneshucharo	Shooting	Women’s 10m Air Rifle
	Vinsent Kilororu	Shooting	Men’s 10m Air Pistol
	Ileena Sivikale, Rin Piknistre	Diving	Women’s Synchronised 3m Springboard
	Riyna McAves	Swimming	Women’s 100m Butterfly
	Salvatoro Supare	Swimming	Men’s 100m Breaststroke
	Lisa Ikaveri	Swimming	Women’s 400m Freestyle
	Isano Vervike, Yamano Elimari	Diving	Men’s Synchronised 10m Platform
	Lisa Ikaveri	Swimming	Women’s 100m Breaststroke
	Stapen Skilusi, Ehjy Uvves, Enlil Vosteru, Yiisu Reveseri, Yiisu Besatera, Kaslo Nuveru	Gymnastics	Men’s Team All-Around
	Vikki Neveshesku, Ankya Suleri	Diving	Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform
	Leina Irlavistre	Swimming	Women’s 200m Freestyle
	Ilo Yeskuviye, Viktor Disnistre, Yiisu Lavinostre, Salvatoro Supare	Swimming	Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay
	Ikrisia Eleseri, Leina Uverilsetrese, Xa Vilaseru, Yva Kire, Ivalsa Noleste, Selvala Lusesitre	Gymnastics	Women’s Team All-Around
	Leina Yve'lestri (OR)	Shooting	Women’s 25m Pistol
	Kaslo Nuveru	Gymnastics	Men’s Individual All-Around
	Reko Luvari, Enlil Isuleni, Mikhil Aseneli, Vanse Kinisere	Rowing	Men’s Lightweight Four
	Ilo Yeskuviye (OR)	Swimming	Men’s 200m Backstroke
	Leina Uverilsetrese	Gymnastics	Women’s Individual All-Around
	Ivalsa Beraseri	Swimming	Women’s 200 m Backstroke
	Ehjy Ecaste	Swimming	Men’s 50 m Freestyle
	Ankya Isassi	Swimming	Women’s 800 m Freestyle
	Elana Holovershku	Shooting	Women’s 50 m Rifle Three Positions
	Ika Uleveri	Athletics	Women’s Heptathlon
	Sayli Eroni	Gymnastics	Women's Trampoline
	Ehjy Uvves	Gymnastics	Men’s Floor
	Stapen Skilusi	Gymnastics	Men’s Pommel Horse
	Yenga Fislavisre	Diving	Women’s 3 m Springboard
	Leina Islakov	Athletics	Women’s Triple Jump
	Vinsent Ligari	Wrestling	Men’s 55 kg Greco-Roman
	Yiisu Besatera	Gymnastics	Men’s Rings
	Yiisu Besatera	Gymnastics	Men’s Vault
	Yiisu Igneskavistre	Shooting	Men’s 50 m Rifle Three Positions
	Ankya Nilu, Ikrisia Sibaki	Synchronized Swimming	Women’s Duet
	Enlil Vosteru	Gymnastics	Men’s Parallel Bars
	Ehjy Viresale	Diving	Men’s 3 m Springboard
	Vanyo Olikoru	Athletics	Men’s 110 m Hurdles
	Yva Noveli	Swimming	Women’s 10 km Marathon
	Yenga Husteriste	Boxing	Women’s Lightweight
	Ehjy Islamesku	Taekwondo	Men’s 68 kg
	Salvatoro Ilaroshi, Mateu Pilamorivistre	Volleyball	Men’s Beach
	Riyna Servichi	Cycling	Women’s BMX
	Ilo Vesteri	Cycling	Men’s BMX
	Liviala Eglestoro	Taekwondo	Women’s 49 kg
	Viktor Islavasho	Taekwondo	Men's 58 kg
	Salvatoro Isparu	Taekwondo	Men's 80 kg
	Keslo Nikeri	Wrestling	Men’s 55 kg
	Jesika Nislasvi	Gymnastics	Women's Rhythmic
	Reko Xanavostre	Diving	Men’s 10 m Platform
	Iseli Nalelo	Athletics	Women’s High Jump
	Yva Iresteri	Athletics	Women’s 800 m
	Ikrisia Seliveri, Isii Ikalsi, Yva Iresteri, Kisia Elesistre	Athletics	Women’s 4x400 m Relay
	Mateu Jerveni	Cycling	Men’s Cross-Country
	Ika Solepise, Yva Solakuv, Riyna Bolisavo	Gymnastics	Women’s Rhythmic Group

Medals by sport
Sport				Total
Swimming	5	6	2	13
Gymnastics	5	3	4	12
Athletics	2	2	2	6
Diving	2	1	3	6
Shooting	2	1	2	5
Taekwondo	2	0	2	4
Cycling	1	1	2	4
Rowing	1	0	0	1
Wrestling	0	2	0	2
Boxing	0	1	0	1
Volleyball	0	1	0	1
Synchronized Swimming	0	0	1	1
Medals by type
Type				Total
Men's	9	7	11	27
Women's	11	11	7	29
Mixed	0	0	0	0
Total	20	18	18	56

• (OR) denotes Olympic Record