Commonwealth Games 2022 - Cook Islands swimmer - Bede Aitu

Kia Orana

I’m Bede Aitu and am honoured to have been selected to represent the Cook Islands in swimming at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. I am of Atiuan descent and live and train in Auckland, NZ.

I’m also very excited that the Cook Islands may be fielding its first ever swimming relay team at these Games. I will also be competing in the 50, 100 and 200m backstroke.

My major achievements have been competing at the 2019 World Junior Champs, 2018 Junior Olympics, 2018 World Champs, 2018 Oceania Swimming Champs, 2017 Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games and the 2019 Arafura Games where I achieved 4 gold medals and registered the Games record in the 200m backstroke. I was also the recipient of the 2018 Junior Cook Islands Sportsman of the Year award from the Cook Islands National Olympic Committee.

I train 8 times a week and assist with swim training at a voluntary level. I currently study architectural design part-time.

Any support you can provide to help me prepare - I will be most grateful and appreciative of.

Meitaki ma’ata

Bede