After 13 weeks and three days, Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee President Hugh Graham has finally returned home ©Getty Images

Cook Islands Olympians, including Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) President Hugh Graham, have finally returned home after stringent quarantine travel rules through New Zealand.

Graham departed for the Olympics 13 weeks and three days ago, but due to lockdown in New Zealand, through which he and several Cook Islands Olympians transited on their return journey, he has been unable to get home.

The CISNOC President conducted a two-week Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) in Christchurch upon arriving in New Zealand, before spending two months in lockdown in Auckland. 

He and the Cook Island cohort are in the process of conducting a further two weeks in MIQ at the Edgewater Resort and Spa in Rarotonga. 

Jane Nicholas was one of six Cook Islands athletes competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ©Getty Images
Jane Nicholas was one of six Cook Islands athletes competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ©Getty Images

"Some days were good, some days I struggled with being on my own," said Graham on his experience in lockdown, as reported by Cook Islands News.

"I also want to say a big A1 meitaki to the many community services that provided assistance in many ways for our members of Team Cook Islands and those of us stranded here in New Zealand.

"In terms of spending another 14 days in MIQ, if I can get through 14 days MIQ in Christchurch then eight weeks in lockdown, I can handle it. 

"At least it will be 14 days back home."

The Cook Islands sent six athletes to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

Tokyo was the country's ninth consecutive appearance at an Olympics, and it has never won a medal.