“The mat was placed in front of the President’s seat, making it part of a truly special moment in our country’s history,” Orme said. “It isn’t just a gift, it’s a piece of Kiribati’s culture, history and heritage that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” he said. The presentation came as Orme continued to represent Kiribati athleticism on the international stage. Orme thanked Kwansing for the gift and said it had strengthened his pride in representing Kiribati and sharing the country’s culture with people around the world. “I’m proud to represent Kiribati, and I’ll keep working hard to make our country proud.”