TEAM Pacific will see 13 athletes, consisting of seven women and six men, competing at the 2024 Paralympics, marking the largest number of representatives from the region at the event. The athletes will participate in sports such as tae kwon do and athletics, representing six Pacific nations.
The Paralympic Games are set to welcome 4,400 athletes from 160 countries in Paris. Each sport has its own classification system to promote fair competition, with athletes classified based on the impact their impairments have on their performance.
According to the Oceania Paralympic Committee, Team Pacific is determined to showcase their abilities during the Games, which officially commence today. Paul Bird, president of the Committee, expressed pride and excitement about the athletes’ participation, calling for support from both local and international communities.
The Pacific athletes from Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati are currently in Paris, ready to compete with some of the world’s best para athletes. Bird highlighted the significance of these athletes, stating that they embody the spirit of Paralympic sport and represent the aspirations of the wider Oceania region.
He remarked on their strength and perseverance, encouraging fans to follow their journeys and support them as they pursue their dreams in para athletics and para taekwondo.
Ken Kahu, a javelin Paralympian, has been chosen as Vanuatu’s flagbearer for the opening ceremony. Kahu, who is part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in Australia, was selected by the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee. Margaret McFarlane, the chef de mission for Vanuatu, affirmed that the athletes are prepared to perform their best.
Tonga’s Meleane Vasitai Leaaepeni Falemaka, known as “Vasi,” is set to compete in the women’s F37 discus throw event. Her qualifying journey is marked by resilience, culminating in a personal best of 16.68 meters at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in April 2024, securing her entry into the Games.
The Paralympic Games will conclude on September 8.