The Pacific Island nation had been suspended from the Commonwealth since 2009 when military ruler Frank Bainimarama, who seized power in a 2006 coup, refused to bow to demands to hold elections.

But Bainimarama has now promised to hold elections in September while a new constitution has been ratified.

The decision opens up the possibility for Fijian athletes taking part in the Glasgow 2014 Games, although the announcement has come too late for the netball, hockey and rugby sevens team competitions in Glasgow, with the qualification process completed for those events.

Reacting to the news, chairman of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Lord Smith of Kelvin, said: "The Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee (OC) looks forward to welcoming Fiji's athletes and officials to the city and Scotland as participants in the next Commonwealth Games.

"Discussions on Fiji's participation in this summer's Games will now begin between the OC and the Commonwealth Games Association of Fiji to establish the scale and scope of the team they propose to send to Glasgow."

Despite today's announcement Fiji will not get the chance to add to their rugby sevens medal haul at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty Images



Fiji is traditionally one of the strongest nations in rugby sevens and would have been a real medal threat during the competition at Ibrox Stadium this summer.

The side has two silver medals from the Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and Manchester 2002 while they claimed bronze at Melbourne 2006.

However, Fijian athletes in the 14 other sports on the Glasgow 2014 programme now have the opportunity to secure a place at the Games which is due to run from July 23 to August 3.

At Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006, the average size of the Fijian team, including athletes and officials, was 85.

Meanwhile, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Prince Tunku Imran said he was "delighted" with today's announcement adding that the decision to allow Fijian athletes to take part in the Games was long overdue.

"The CGF has made numerous representations for Fiji to be allowed to participate in the Games since the suspension was imposed; most recently at our General Assembly last August, which was attended by Commonwealth Secretary General HE Kamlesh Sharma, and I'm glad that this has occurred in time for Glasgow," said Imran.

"The CGF will now work with our colleagues at the Organising Committee in Glasgow, along with Reg Sanday, President of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee(FASANOC), and his team, to facilitate their participation." 

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