Team Pacific will feature a record 13 athletes, comprising seven women and six men, at the upcoming 2024 Paralympics. These athletes will represent six Pacific nations in the sports of taekwondo and athletics.
The Paralympics, hosted in Paris, will see a total of 4,400 competitors from 160 countries. Each sport has its own classification system to ensure fair competition, with athletes categorized based on the extent to which their impairments affect their performance.
The Oceania Paralympic Committee has announced that Team Pacific is eager to showcase their abilities at the event, which officially begins today. The committee’s president, Paul Bird, expressed pride and excitement, urging support from both Pacific and global communities.
The athletes, hailing from Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati, have arrived in Paris, ready to compete against some of the world’s top para-athletes. Bird noted, “As the world unites for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we are thrilled to highlight the remarkable athletes from the Pacific nations participating this year. From the islands of Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati, these athletes are breaking boundaries and showcasing incredible strength and perseverance, embodying the spirit of Paralympic sport.”
He added, “Our Pacific athletes not only represent their nations but also the aspirations of the entire Oceania region. With every step, race, and throw, they inspire future generations to rise above obstacles. Competing in Para athletics and Para taekwondo, they are ready to make their mark on the world stage.”
Javelin Paralympian Ken Kahu will serve as Vanuatu’s flagbearer during the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics. Kahu, who is currently employed under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in Australia, has been chosen by the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee. Vanuatu’s Paralympic chef de mission, Margaret McFarlane, affirmed that the athletes are poised to give their best performances.
Tonga will be represented by Meleane Vasitai Leaaepeni Falemaka, also known as “Vasi.” She aims to shine in the women’s F37 discus throw event, embodying resilience and determination in her journey. Vasi qualified for the Games in April 2024 after achieving a personal best throw of 16.68 meters at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Marrakech, Morocco, ranking her fifth.
The Paralympics will conclude on September 8.