Cook Islands at the 2008 Summer Olympics events (with the exception of weightlifting, where the first round was the only round) and did not go on to win medals. Pera was the nation's flag bearer at the ceremonies. The Cook Islands are a collection of fifteen islands lying in the South Pacific Ocean that are governed under a single parliamentary entity. Some 10,000 people live in the dependency. The country is in a free association with New Zealand, who handles the nation's external affairs. The Cook Islands became self-governing in 1965. 23 years later, the Cook Islands sent their first delegation to the Olympics at the 1988
Cook Islands national under-20 rugby union team Rugby Trophy. The Cook Islands lost their three pool matches against Chile, Romania, and Namibia before winning the 7th place play-off against Jamaica by 55–15. Cook Islands national under-20 rugby union team The Cook Islands national Under 20 rugby team is for Cook Islands rugby union players aged 20 or under on January 1 of the year during which they are selected. The team has played at the World Rugby U20 Trophy and also competes at the Oceania U20 Championship. Under 20 age grade rugby came into existence, as a result of the IRB combining the Under 19 Rugby World