Team Pacific will feature a record 13 athletes, comprising seven women and six men, at the upcoming 2024 Paralympics. These athletes will represent six nations from the Pacific in events such as taekwondo and athletics.
The Paralympics, set to take place in Paris, will showcase 4,400 athletes from 160 countries. The event employs a classification system tailored to each sport, ensuring equitable competition by assessing the extent to which an athlete’s impairment affects their performance.
The Oceania Paralympic Committee has announced that Team Pacific is ready to demonstrate their talent at the Games, which start today. Committee President Paul Bird expressed pride and excitement for the athletes and called for support from both local and international communities.
The contingent includes athletes from Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati, who have arrived in Paris, eager to compete on a global stage. Bird noted the significance of the athletes’ participation, highlighting their strength, perseverance, and the inspiration they provide to future generations.
Vanuatu’s javelin Paralympian Ken Kahu has been named the flagbearer for his nation during the opening ceremony. He was chosen by the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee and currently works in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
In addition, Tonga’s Meleane Vasitai Leaaepeni Falemaka, known as “Vasi,” will represent her country in the women’s F37 discus throw. Vasi’s journey is marked by resilience and determination; she qualified for the Games earlier this year with a personal best throw of 16.68 meters, which earned her a fifth-place ranking at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Marrakech, Morocco.
The 2024 Paralympics will conclude on September 8.