Excitement is building for the Tonga delegation and among the Pacific nations as they prepare to participate in the highly anticipated Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Wednesday August 28nat 8pm (Thursday, August 29, 7am Tonga time).
The ceremony, set to unfold at the iconic Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées, will see athletes proudly representing their countries in the heart of the French capital.
The Pacific nations are fielding a team of 13 Para athletes who will compete across two sports, Para athletics and Para taekwondo, in 13 events. Tonga’s Meleane Falemaka will compete in the women’s discuss throw on September 6.
As the athletes gear up for 11 days of intense competition, which will see around 4,400 athletes from around the world take part, their anticipation is palpable.
Flagbearers representing Pacific nations at the Opening Ceremony include Irene Mar for Fiji, Ongiou Timeon for Kiribati, Herea Loi and Manega Tapari for Papua New Guinea, Junita Tonowane and James Gegeu for the Solomon Islands, Meleane Falemaka for Tonga, and Elie Enock and Ken Kahu for Vanuatu.
You can watch the Paralympic Games on various platforms. Stream the events live or catch up on highlights via the official Paralympics YouTube channel, available at @paralympics. You can also visit the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) website at paralympic.org for comprehensive coverage and updates. Additionally, viewers in certain regions can watch the Games on TVNZ or Digicel TV.
These athletes, who have trained tirelessly to reach this moment, are ready to showcase their talents on the global stage. Their participation not only highlights the remarkable spirit of the Pacific region but also speaks of the universal power of sport to unite people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will run from Thursday, August 29, through Monday, September 9 (Tonga Time), offering an inspiring display of determination, resilience, and athletic excellence. As the world watches, the Pacific nations are set to leave their mark on this prestigious event, embodying the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equality.
